Really? I do. But in any event, the key thing is that it counters the "he was looking right at him - of course he intended to hit him" argument. If they were wearing different uniforms, you'd think Kessel intended the hit.
If you're under the impression that Wideman nailed Henderson intentionally, then these two incidents are nothing alike.
However, if you believe it was an accident, then there are some comparisons. Kessel/Wideman both appeared to be looking directly at the person they ran into. In both cases it looks like there is some push off at the last second, which some attribute to intent, I'd say is just natural human reaction.
Obvious difference is that Kessel didn't have his hands on his stick and Dion wasn't travelling in a straight line like Henderson was.
Watch any number of accidental collisions and it becomes more and more obvious that there are some pretty good comparisons to show a natural push off or hands up, similar to Wideman's reaction, for an accidental collision.
Looking back, I still can't believe that the Flames/league/Bettman/officials union handled this situation the way they did. What an embarrassing situation for everyone involved. Turn an unfortunate injury into a disgusting pissing match.
Last edited by Cecil Terwilliger; 03-05-2018 at 12:46 PM.
The Following 11 Users Say Thank You to Cecil Terwilliger For This Useful Post:
Looking back, I still can't believe that the Flames/league/Bettman/officials union handled this situation the way they did. What an embarrassing situation for everyone involved. Turn an unfortunate injury into a disgusting pissing match.
This, 100%. Regardless of what you believe about Wideman's intent, the clown show that ensued needs to be taken very seriously by the NHL and both the Players' and Officials' Associations.
__________________ "It's a great day for hockey."
-'Badger' Bob Johnson (1931-1991)
"I see as much misery out of them moving to justify theirselves as them that set out to do harm." -Dr. Amos "Doc" Cochran
This, 100%. Regardless of what you believe about Wideman's intent, the clown show that ensued needs to be taken very seriously by the NHL and both the Players' and Officials' Associations.
Can we have an 'Officials' lockout?
"Whats that? You didnt know that people dont buy tickets to see the refs? No way..."
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
If you are flammable and have legs, you are never blocking a Fire Exit. - Mitch Hedberg
Kessel had a "head in the cloud" moment there. Clearly not paying attention to the play and coasting in a straight line to the bench to which Phaneuf is looking at the play and changes direction up the ice into his path. I fail to see any similarity as Wideman was deliberate with his hit on Henderson who had his back turned. To me it always looked like Wideman intentionally hit him. I'm not clear if he was in a bit of a daze after getting plastered or had a momentary lapse where his anger got the best of him.
Well, that's the whole question isn't it. Why does Kessel have his "head in the clouds" and Wideman doesn't? Other than because he's Kessel, of course.
The biggest difference to me is that Phaneuf was travelling with some speed and is bigger, whereas Henderson was neither, therefore he wound up getting the worst of it (as opposed to Kessel).
No one will actually ever know, of course. But to me, the little clip shows that you can look like you are looking straight ahead and still not actually be aware that there's a collision coming until it's too late. That, plus Wideman's history and the fact that Henderson was not involved in any way, plus Wideman's post-collision reaction, point me in a "no intent" direction. Opinions may vary.
Kessel and Wideman did the exact same thing below the waist - trying to evade at the last second. Reactions were pure instinct, both above and below the waist.
Someone find a nasty, clearly intentional crosscheck - their legs will be a lot different.
I always fail at embedding these...hopefully someone can fix if necessary
Last edited by powderjunkie; 03-05-2018 at 04:35 PM.
The Following User Says Thank You to powderjunkie For This Useful Post:
Henderson's side probably didn't draw the best judge for this. I don't see Willie DeWitt being too official friendly. Plus he probably thinks "I got hit way harder by Smokin' Bert Cooper".
The Following User Says Thank You to GioforPM For This Useful Post:
I still can’t believe there are people who think he did this intentionally.
I don't believe it was premeditated where he was out to cross check Henderson but after looking at it over and over there's no doubt that he basically cross checked him in a "get the hell out of my way" manner on his way to the box. It was no accident. The only thing we don't know is what was going through his mind and how rattled he was after taking that hit as it was pretty clear he motioned to his head bent over after taking the hit.
Kessel and Wideman did the exact same thing below the waist - trying to evade at the last second. Reactions were pure instinct, both above and below the waist.
Someone find a nasty, clearly intentional crosscheck - their legs will be a lot different.
I always fail at embedding these...hopefully someone can fix if necessary
The Following User Says Thank You to FanIn80 For This Useful Post:
I don't believe it was premeditated where he was out to cross check Henderson but after looking at it over and over there's no doubt that he basically cross checked him in a "get the hell out of my way" manner on his way to the box. It was no accident. The only thing we don't know is what was going through his mind and how rattled he was after taking that hit as it was pretty clear he motioned to his head bent over after taking the hit.
I think there's plenty of doubt. But we've gotten sidetracked and it's my fault.
The Following User Says Thank You to GioforPM For This Useful Post:
Henderson's side probably didn't draw the best judge for this. I don't see Willie DeWitt being too official friendly. Plus he probably thinks "I got hit way harder by Smokin' Bert Cooper".
Smokin' Bert Cooper was hopped up on some kind of drugs when he beat Dewitt. Still makes me mad that situation!!
The Following User Says Thank You to rooster For This Useful Post:
Does that mean that the Judge in the case felt that Henderson was a Lionel Hutz style client with a fake neck brace and talking about how he has nightmares about Wideman jumping out of the closet and beating him down with a hockey stick with a nail in it?
__________________
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
The Following User Says Thank You to CaptainCrunch For This Useful Post:
I understand Wideman going for legal costs, but yeah, the Flames probably should have just followed the NHL's lead and chalked it up as cost of doing business. Don't really need Wideman effect 2.0.
The Following User Says Thank You to Resolute 14 For This Useful Post:
Location: Wondering when # became hashtag and not a number sign.
Exp:
Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch
Does that mean that the Judge in the case felt that Henderson was a Lionel Hutz style client with a fake neck brace and talking about how he has nightmares about Wideman jumping out of the closet and beating him down with a hockey stick with a nail in it?
