But it would be much less likely to happen because most of the guys that do these sorts of things are only in the NHL because of their fighting ability.
Like Todd Bertuzzi, Matt Cooke, James Neal, et al?
The fact that Neal is only having a phone hearing is disgusting. Knee shots are the dirtiest play in hockey... Not to mention a knee to the head. Neal should be done for the year, and probably Thornton as well.
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I agree that what Neal did was worse than what Thornton did (albeit marginally..). Neal looks like he maliciously tries to injure, I believe from the video that Thornton was trying to send a message but it kind of got out of control. Like an emotional response.
There's a difference and both are definitely suspension worthy. I'm a Bruins fan so maybe some bias, but what Neal did was crazy dangerous and dirty.
Man do I hate the Penguins. The only one on Pittsburgh a guy can respect is Crosby.
How could you respect a guy that trips up an opposition player so his buddy can knee him in the head, even if the victim is Marchand? I know it wasn't a tag team play, but Crosby still tripped him.
How could you respect a guy that trips up an opposition player so his buddy can knee him in the head, even if the victim is Marchand? I know it wasn't a tag team play, but Crosby still tripped him.
SO first you suggest Crosby did it so Neal could hit him, and then you you say you know he didn't?
Crosby's trip had nothing at all to do with Neal's play.
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Thornton should get the year just for the shear stupidity of the play. Great hit by Orpick, there was no need for him to fight. Thornton was pissed and being useless and pissed is a bad combo. Give him the year. Second punch definitely landed and did the damage, Orpik will be fine.
Part of me loves what Neal did, so dirty and cheap but awesome on some level. Again a dumb play and he probably gets 3 for it.
Neal is having a phone hearing so he won't even get 6. Thornton's is in person ... but he's already trotting out the apology wagon so they'll probably go soft on him.
Neal's is worse, IMO. He could have killed that guy.
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Orpik probably should have fought Thornton when he took a bit of a liberty crushing Eriksson. On second look at the highlights Eriksson didn’t even touch the puck and got caught looking for it. People can say you shouldn't have to fight after a "clean" hit. But that is what enforcers do, make your face hurt when you try and crush a star player. That being said, going in and pulling a guy down and punching him in the head is unreasonable and unnecessary. Definitely suspendable. 10+
What Neal did, is the absolute BS crap that they are trying to eliminate. What the hell was he thinking. If that was Crosby on the ice, that guy would be hung out to dry in the back 40. Neal should not get off with less then 6, the phone hearing is crap. If I am player and that happens to me, just lay on the ice and get on the stretcher, then maybe an example would be made.
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I hope the decision to have a phone hearing was made before the video and Neal pathetic excuse on the matter. Looking and hearing what he did shouldn't warrant a phone in hearing. He deserves much more.
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The fighting after a clean hit is complete garbage though. I get that this is what enforcers do, which is why they ought to be eliminated from the game. They serve no other purpose.
And its funny that you say the Neal act is what they're trying to eliminate. He will get a handful of games, so clearly they aren't actually trying! They should be, but they haven't even made an honest effort.
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How could you respect a guy that trips up an opposition player so his buddy can knee him in the head, even if the victim is Marchand? I know it wasn't a tag team play, but Crosby still tripped him.
Listening to the comments from the Pens, and they keep referring to the Orpik hit as "clean". It doesn't justify what happened, but am I missing something? In what world was Orpik's hit clean? He levelled a player that never touched the puck, that's a dirty hit. (Although I do think Orpik thought he'd have the puck when he hit him, but still doesn't change the fact the hitter has to be responsible to assure that is so before you cream someone)
The Orpik hit was clean, it was just interference.
I don't disagree with what it would be called. Doesn't the fact that it should have been called anything prove that indeed it was not clean? You don't called for anything on "clean" hits.
Listening to the comments from the Pens, and they keep referring to the Orpik hit as "clean". It doesn't justify what happened, but am I missing something? In what world was Orpik's hit clean? He levelled a player that never touched the puck, that's a dirty hit.
Pretty sure Eriksson did touch the puck (deflected off his stick) but either way that is NOT a dirty hit, as mentioned interference maybe.
Pretty sure Eriksson did touch the puck (deflected off his stick) but either way that is NOT a dirty hit, as mentioned interference maybe.
Don't think it did touch him. And interference is a dirty hit when you step up and level someone. Anyone can step up and throw Scott Stevens like crushing blows if they don't have to be concerned with ensuring the player you are about to hit is eligible to get pasted. And players are responsible for being aware of themselves and be ready for hits when they are eligible to be hit, but players who aren't eligible shouldn't have to be prepared to get run over if they aren't holding the puck.
That's what makes Dmen who can time that stuff right so intimidating. If every damn in the league just went for huge open ice hits with no regards for the rules cause its "just interference" if they miss, we'd have a lot more injured and concussed players in this league. Crosby and all other superstars would probably be injured 80% of the season if the only penalty for miss timing or hitting players with out the puck with huge open ice hits is just "interference".
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I don't disagree with what it would be called. Doesn't the fact that it should have been called anything prove that indeed it was not clean? You don't called for anything on "clean" hits.
