[News] Witkowski 10 games, Tkachuk Suspended 1 Game

[savemedrzaius]

I think you guys are focusing too much on the spearing call instead of the more important thing which is Tkachuk hit a guy with his stick on purpose when he was already off the ice and being led by the ref to the dressing room.

Too me it's the same as if Tkachuk had spit on him while he was leaving. No purpose other than to start stuff up after it had already come to an end.

[crapshoot]

Originally Posted by savemedrzaius

I think you guys are focusing too much on the spearing call instead of the more important thing which is Tkachuk hit a guy with his stick on purpose when he was already off the ice and being led by the ref to the dressing room.

Too me it's the same as if Tkachuk had spit on him while he was leaving. No purpose other than to start stuff up after it had already come to an end.

Umm, no, those very, very different things are certainly not the same.

[1Nite]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Bearded goon recieved the easiest 10 game automatic suspension that the NHL could and did hand out to him. Tkachuk's 5 min spearing call for rapping a dude on the ankle is one of the most ridiculous calls that has ever been defined as spearing. Unsportsmanlike sure but spearing?? That ref should be tied to a chair and forced to watch a thousand clips of spearing. Meanwhile it appears like the NHL is going to entirely ignore Mantha's antics when the ref was trying to pry him off of Hamonic inside the bench area.

That's the thing, why are they not going through this video, witkowski's original penalties were for what? That was a clear case of attempting to injure another player, which incensed the Flame, this is the catalyst for everything not Tkachuk's tap. Or as#canspellhisname grabbing Hamonic's head from the bench while he is fighting mantha, and the continuous punches to a prone player, Ferland throwing punches from the bench, not sure if he connected, also not right.

[savemedrzaius]

Originally Posted by 1Nite

That's the thing, why are they not going through this video, witkowski's original penalties were for what? That was a clear case of attempting to injure another player, which incensed the Flame, this is the catalyst for everything not Tkachuk's tap. Or as#canspellhisname grabbing Hamonic's head from the bench while he is fighting mantha, and the continuous punches to a prone player, Ferland throwing punches from the bench, not sure if he connected, also not right.

Pretty sure Brouwer did something quite similar to Abdelkater previously. You're crazy if you don't think that was on the entire Detroit team's mind.

[Reaper]

I know it won't happen but I'd like to see Anthanasaiou(sp?) get a fine for grabbing Hamonic from the bench while Mantha was already fighting him. Even though it was momentary I think any interference from the bench during an altercation should result in a third-man-in penalty.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Reaper

I know it won't happen but I'd like to see Anthanasaiou(sp?) get a fine for grabbing Hamonic from the bench while Mantha was already fighting him. Even though it was momentary I think any interference from the bench during an altercation should result in a third-man-in penalty.

Happytoseeyou

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by savemedrzaius

I think you guys are focusing too much on the spearing call instead of the more important thing which is Tkachuk hit a guy with his stick on purpose when he was already off the ice and being led by the ref to the dressing room.

Too me it's the same as if Tkachuk had spit on him while he was leaving. No purpose other than to start stuff up after it had already come to an end.

I think Tkachuk had something to say to him, like "see you next game" or "have fun in the minors" or something like that, and tapped him to make sure he heard it.

[Toonage]

Tkachuk's side of the story was that he was just giving the guy a shove to get him off the ice and that Witkowski was looking for any excuse to come back onto it. He's right. If Tkachuk doesn't "spear" him, then this guy finds an excuse elsewhere. Maybe he waits for someone to yell at him from the Flames bench and back he comes.

Still, if you're Tkachuk and you now know (if you didn't before) that the league is just waiting for you to slip on that banana peel maybe you let someone else give the next guy a shove off off the ice and save all your own friendly pushes for in front of the net.

[Resolute 14]

The problem Tkachuk's argument creates is that he admits that (a) he knew Witkowski was already unhinged and looking to cause more trouble, and (b) he went out of his own way to ensure more trouble happened. That is not going to look good to the league.

[Toonage]

I think Tkachuk's reasoning was that he didn't think the guy was looking for an excuse to come back out, or didn't realize he was, until after he poked him. Once that happened he figured anything would have prompted that return to the ice.

But yes, clearly the league didn't like it.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

The problem Tkachuk's argument creates is that he admits that (a) he knew Witkowski was already unhinged and looking to cause more trouble, and (b) he went out of his own way to ensure more trouble happened. That is not going to look good to the league.

Egging someone on is not suspension worthy.

I'll say a fine

[puckedoff]

I dont think Tkachuk get suspended, still its bad though as he now will have 2 hearings (assuming he had one for Doughty elbow, can't remember) so he may get longer suspensions on the next inevitable dirty play.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by puckedoff

I dont think Tkachuk get suspended, still its bad though as he now will have 2 hearings (assuming he had one for Doughty elbow, can't remember) so he may get longer suspensions on the next inevitable dirty play.

He must have had a hearing for the elbow since he got a couple games.

[The Hendog]

Originally Posted by puckedoff

I dont think Tkachuk get suspended, still its bad though as he now will have 2 hearings (assuming he had one for Doughty elbow, can't remember) so he may get longer suspensions on the next inevitable dirty play.

His leash with the league will continue to get shorter and shorter if he does things like this

[cannon7]

Someone had to stand up for Kulak. Tkachuk is aces in my book.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by DJones

Egging someone on is not suspension worthy.

I'll say a fine

It *shouldn't* be suspension worthy, and I agree that if the league has any sense whatsoever, it should only be a fine.

The problem is, Tkachuk needlessly subjected himself to the whims of DOPS.

[CroFlames]

Still scratching my head how Mantha isn't receiving any supplemental, yet Tkachuk is having a hearing for tapping a guy. I dare say the tap isn't even what set Wikoswski off, it was chirps from the bench. And if a guy is getting a hearing/suspended for chirps, then the terrorists have won.

Mantha should be suspended.

Wiskowski should get an extra 2 games from trying to slam Kulak's head into the ice after the fight. People are missing this detail a lot.

[tkflames]

Is there a mandatory hearing after a 5 minute spearing penalty? Or is this strictly a unsportsmanlike conduct phone call? Does anyone know?

Edit: nevermind.. .saw the player safety tweet

[Fan in Exile]

Do the officials ever get called out? The way I see it, the linesmen failed 3 times over. They let Wittkowski slam Kulak to the ice 3 times after knocking him down and while they had a hold of him, shoved them aside and lunged at Hamonic (at least they stopped that altercation from happening), and then let him back on the ice. They also let Mantha wail away on Hamonic at the Wings bench. Howard also come over, starts throwing shots with his blocker, then throws off his gloves, Gillies feels obliged to come over and they get equal penalties. No extra sanctions from the officials for Wittkowski, Howard or Mantha and Tkachuk gets a major for spearing?

Then the next night, both refs and linesman miss a blatant slash to the head by Gudas. Give them coincidental minors. Need a video review to wake them to the obvious. The league is just embarrassing itself on a nightly basis.

If Tkachuk gets suspended for that tap above the major, I will be incensed. The league is losing all credibility.

[CGY12]

Originally Posted by savemedrzaius

I think you guys are focusing too much on the spearing call instead of the more important thing which is Tkachuk hit a guy with his stick on purpose when he was already off the ice and being led by the ref to the dressing room.

Too me it's the same as if Tkachuk had spit on him while he was leaving. No purpose other than to start stuff up after it had already come to an end.

Tapping a guy on his shin pads with your stick (hockey play) is the same as spitting on somebody? I'm sure glad I've never played hockey against you.

Although I agree with your assertion that its less about the tap and more about Tkachuk doing it to a player that is off the ice and being led to the dressing room, that will probably land him in hot water.

If I had my way though it would have been much more severe of a tap based on Wji..whatever his name is, for that cowardly display on Kulak.