[PGT] Flames lose 10th consecutive season-opener (5-3 Avs win)

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by red sky

We would have been complaining about this as a cheap shot last year, which it was, but now he is a Flame, so all is well

There is a certain code to hockey that still exists...lay a hit like that on a player half your size you answer the bell.

Penalties were even on that play for a reason. Had Lucic not done anything we would be questioning why he is even here.

[FusionX]

Originally Posted by red sky

We would have been complaining about this as a cheap shot last year, which it was, but now he is a Flame, so all is well

As others have said, of course perspectives change but truthfully, what did you want as a response, nothing?

Also, the only reason it looks like a cheapshot is because Zadorov is an idiot. Why is he looking anywhere other than at Lucic and what's about to come? It's not like the punch came from the back or heck, even the side. It's his own damn fault for smirking like a smuck and looking to the refs/linesmen for who knows what.

I for one love the response and would much rather this than all the cheap crap that Landeskog pulls regularly (and no, I don't have clips, it's just an observation based on multiple games likely tinged with bias).

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by FusionX

As others have said, of course perspectives change but truthfully, what did you want as a response, nothing?

Also, the only reason it looks like a cheapshot is because Zadorov is an idiot. Why is he looking anywhere other than at Lucic and what's about to come? It's not like the punch came from the back or heck, even the side. It's his own damn fault for smirking like a smuck and looking to the refs/linesmen for who knows what.

I for one love the response and would much rather this than all the cheap crap that Landeskog pulls regularly (and no, I don't have clips, it's just an observation based on multiple games likely tinged with bias).

What? It wasn’t a cheap shot because Zaradov was not paying attention? Come on. This is apologetic nonsense. Regardless of whether or not you are happy about the hit, that was the textbook definition of a cheap shot.

Let’s at least be honest about what it is.

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[FiveSeven]

Dudes if I just leveled a smaller player and I had lucic coming at me... I'm not gonna start smiling and look away. It's a given that you're gonna have retribution coming. I'd be watching those hands or at least be engaged. Zero sympathy. Sucker punch? Nah. Again Lucic coming at you after a devastating hit and you assume hes coming at you for what? A hug?

[Enoch Root]

I would argue that it wasn't a sucker punch at all. Lucic had already engaged him and had shoved him a couple times. Instead of responding directly, Zadorov ignored him and looked to the ref to intervene and save him.

Add the #### eating grin to the equation, and IMO he deserved everything he got.

[AC]

Lucic literally turns Zadorov around to look at him, then punches him. At some point, not defending yourself whatsoever against a person who is clearly about to attack you removes the element of a sucker punch.

It's obviously not clean, but a sucker punch is by definition "without warning and often without apparent provocation". Zadorov just stupidly chose not to defend himself IMO.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I would argue that it wasn't a sucker punch at all. Lucic had already engaged him and had shoved him a couple times. Instead of responding directly, Zadorov ignored him and looked to the ref to intervene and save him.

Add the #### eating grin to the equation, and IMO he deserved everything he got.

I didn't see it as a cheap shot either. It was a gloved jab. Zadorov knew exactly who was engaging him and did exactly as you described, looked for the ref to intervene.

If you're going to board a smaller player you should realize the other team is not going to take it lightly.

Lucic didn't drop his gloves and rear back and smoke him out of sight. Not a cheap shot.

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

I didn't see it as a cheap shot either. It was a gloved jab. Zadorov knew exactly who was engaging him and did exactly as you described, looked for the ref to intervene.

If you're going to board a smaller player you should realize the other team is not going to take it lightly.

Lucic didn't drop his gloves and rear back and smoke him out of sight. Not a cheap shot.

If that happened to anyone on our team people on here would be calling for heads to roll. I absolutely despise the Lucic acquisition but he did what he had to do, especially in game 1 on a new team who wants to not get pushed around by guys like Zadorov anymore. That doesn't change the fact it was absolutely a cheap play tho.

Not to mention it wasn't even a particularly dirty "boarding" hit anyways. Cannot turn late like that if you are Czarnik.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

If that happened to anyone on our team people on here would be calling for heads to roll. I absolutely despise the Lucic acquisition but he did what he had to do, especially in game 1 on a new team who wants to not get pushed around by guys like Zadorov anymore. That doesn't change the fact it was absolutely a cheap play tho.

Not to mention it wasn't even a particularly dirty "boarding" hit anyways. Cannot turn late like that if you are Czarnik.

Disagree. In fact guys get jabbed all the time, without people calling for heads to roll. It was not a cheap shot and imo your analysis is just wrong. That was a bad hit.

[bubbsy]

Wow, are we really complaining about this???

That's what he's here for, get used to it. It wasn't a sucker punch, they were engaged for a lengthy period before lucic starts feeding him.

What's the point? For one, I'm sure flames win the next game vs the avs schmucks, and secondly, i bet zadorov plays differently next game.

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by AC

https://gfycat.com/unripehonesthamadryad

So satisfying in slow motion, I love Zadorov's head hitting the glass after the punch.

I just had to bump this.

[topfiverecords]

He was so smug in the playoffs last year. Thank you Lucic.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

If that happened to anyone on our team people on here would be calling for heads to roll. I absolutely despise the Lucic acquisition but he did what he had to do, especially in game 1 on a new team who wants to not get pushed around by guys like Zadorov anymore. That doesn't change the fact it was absolutely a cheap play tho.

Not to mention it wasn't even a particularly dirty "boarding" hit anyways. Cannot turn late like that if you are Czarnik.

Correction: should not turn late like that.

Cannot, in this situation, applies to Zadorov, who hit Czarnik from behind and, arguably, high.

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Correction: should not turn late like that.

Cannot, in this situation, applies to Zadorov, who hit Czarnik from behind and, arguably, high.

Czarnik went in on the forecheck and turned back at the last second after that piece of trash Zadorov had already committed to the check. There's a reason why every almost every neutral fanbase comment about the hit has called it a bad call.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

Czarnik went in on the forecheck and turned back at the last second after that piece of trash Zadorov had already committed to the check. There's a reason why every almost every neutral fanbase comment about the hit has called it a bad call.

First of all, citation needed.

But even if true, fanbases aren't refs, and are slow to adjust to the new standards. You can't hit a guy into the boards from behind like that. Period.

[AC]

One more take on the punch because I enjoy it so much:


https://gfycat.com/unconsciousopulentanole

[Calgary4LIfe]

In no world is that a 'sucker punch'.


I guarantee you that Zadorov knew that a gloved punch to the face was coming - heck, it happens in so many scrums. Can you imagine what Lucic was telling him verbally as well? Zadorov was of course trying to avoid the fight, but you know what is guaranteed to avoid the fight in the first place? Don't unload fully on a check against a player half your size while the opposing team's tough guy is on the ice.


Every single player in the NHL knows what Lucic's job is out there. Lucic is probably also screaming at him that he has to answer the bell now. In no world is this a 'sucker punch'. This is a guy who is trying to avoid the fight and make Lucic take another penalty.


Good on Lucic for sticking up for Mangiapane there. Team built off of that IMO.

[Skyceman]

Here's what Zadorov had to say about the incident and claims he wasn't scared to fight Lucic and was more upset at the refs...

"And if anybody thinks I was scared to fight or something, they’re wrong. You can look at might fight card and see the guys who I have fought before in my career. I expect the referee to look at it, and maybe do better next game. I’m a big guy, I’m a physical player. It’s part of my game. If you give me those penalties, it just hurts our team. It’s brutal. It’s my style of the game and I’m not gonna change. They have to fix that stuff. They cannot just call (stuff) on me because I’m big or too strong. People have to prepare when they go out on the ice against me. Brace yourself, protect yourself all the time.”

https://coloradohockeynow.com/2019/1...r-the-referee/

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Skyceman

Here's what Zadorov had to say about the incident and claims he wasn't scared to fight Lucic and was more upset at the refs...

LOL

Maybe take your own advice.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Skyceman

Here's what Zadorov had to say about the incident and claims he wasn't scared to fight Lucic and was more upset at the refs...

Yes. That would explain why Zaradov’s response to the punch was to wrap his arms around Lucic as tightly as possible, bury his head, and hang on like his life depended on it.

I’m not an advocate for fighting in hockey, but it was crystal clear to everyone that Zaradov was doing his level best to avoid exchanging blows with Lucic.


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