How do you respond to a head-shot check on a teammate? Well, if you're the Anaheim Ducks' James Wisniewski, you reply with what TSN's Bob McKenzie tweeted, "Charging, Interference, Boarding and pre-meditated malice..."
During last night's Ducks/Chicago Blackhawks game, 'hawks blueliner Brent Seabrook clipped the Ducks Corey Perry at the side of the net with what appeared to be a questionable hit to the head. A few seconds later, Wisniewski tattooed Seabrook to the end boards with what looked like a flying forearm to the chin (or what I like to call a "Darian Hatcher"), but very well COULD have been a chest hit that had double impact based on Seabrook standing in that danger zone of about two-feet off the end boards. Either way, Seabrook looked like he'd just been hit with a Louisville Slugger and left the game shortly after. That led to Chicago's Duncan Keith jumping in to fight Wisniewski.
The CBC's Elliotte Friedman wrote today, "Right now, we're averaging one spectacularly dirty play per night. The GMs maintain there are only about six hits per year the league must
eliminate, but the players appear determined to prove them wrong... All of the talk about respect for 'the brotherhood' is nothing but hot air. This week is proof." And he's right.
Neither McKenzie nor Friedman are softies who wish hitting and fighting would be banished from hockey, but the rate of head shots, even in light of all the recent media attention, is a bit ridiculous. As McKenzie pointed out in the same twitter feed, "Tough part of today's NHL is most violent/questionable plays come on hits/contact. Once upon a time, it was mostly xchecks/hsticks/slash." Things are a bit more complicated now and it needs to be the league that steps up and sets some new ground rules. That, OR we can just say $#%! it and turn hockey into Rollerball. (The James Caan one, NOT the LL Cool J one.)
If the ref's aren't going to call the headshots let the players police the game like they used to. Before this instigator penalty came into effect there wasn't nearly the concussions or head shots that there are now. Let the guys who deal the head shots get their heads punched in and we'll see a large drop in cheap shots.
I do not think hockey is more violent, I think the skill level of many players is not as high as it should be so they do what they have to to keep up or stay in the game by taking out the good players.
Hockey should be a game of skill, if you have a skill someone with less or equal skill should not try to injure you. Woman's hockey is so good to watch because of this. They have to rely on skill because full contact is not allowed. They do get away with some, but it is not as brutal. Skill should prevail. Also blow the whistle when the puck crosses the blue line like international kockey, this will reduce injuries, there is no prize for getting there first, only pain.
I do not watch hockey on television or go to games...Why go and watch one team try to maim or harm the better players on the other team...Don't care what Don Cherry says..violence does not belong in hockey and neither do dirty hits..
I am very disappointed with the Chicago Blackhawks. Seabrooks hot on perry was shoulder to shoulder and Perry was off balance, Seabrook could have easily crushed him harder. Wysnewski was blatant did not care where the puck was, waited until Seabrook was not looking and took a chicken shit shot. The only person that comes to his aid is Keith one of their top defencman. This was only half way thru the second when it happened. Chicago has a few guys that scrap. The very next shift Wysnewski was out one of the scrapers should of smoked him in the boards, dropped the gloves and smashed his nose all over his face. The hawks just lost a top defenceman to a crappy hit the game before, if they do not standup and make a point every Hawk on that team is a target, because there are no repocussions.
until violent players are banned from hockey not just given a tap on the wrist, this problem will not stop, the level of profesionalism is very low at this time, which is why they resort to violence,. there are still some very good profesionals playing, so all this type of action i'm sure is not agreeable to them, but as nothing is done about it they are tarred with the same brush,( too bad0
Womens hockey is good to watch compared to what? The USA VS. Canada is a decent game with the elite female players in the world but let's not compare Women's hockey to the NHL. They are two totally different games. That's like saying flag footbal should be compared to the NFL.
The instigator rule has to go. Another rule stopping head shots would help slow down some of these cheap shots but letting the players resolve things is where this issue needs to get to change the culture of the game back to what it was. It used to be a stand up game where you knew what you dealt out was what you got back. Now there are too many cowards hiding behind rules with no real concequence. If anyone thinks that a another rule and fine is going to stop a 3rd-4th line player who is fitghting for a place on an NHL team(where they are making how much?), you are nuts. How many fines and suspensions has Cooke or Avery had to date and have they changed their game? These are pros that will push the limits and often take the penalty if it means winning. At the end of the day at this level, winning isn't everything, it's the only thing! Let the players sort this out.
All the talk is on the players having less respect, but some of these hits are a result of bad refs letting calls go and players feeling they have to even it up with vigilante justice. The lack of suspensions is another big factor in it. The prime example is the headhun hit by Moore on Naslund. There was no penalty, the refs actually stopped the canucks from going after him and then the leauge did not suspend Moore, and we all know how brutally and ugly that one ended. All three groups need to get in on the solution, the leauge, the refs and the players.
Hockey is definitely not more violent...only the stick work and equipment are violent. I remember when the benches would clear including the penalty box .Get rid of the third man in rule and the players will settle things themselves as they did years ago. It is a real deterrent when the players that like to use their stick know that if they do, the tough guy will get them!
I do find that hockey is getting a bit too violent lately. I was watching the Edmonton/Toronto game this past Saturday and I thought that a big brawl just might be iminent. The tension was so heavy in that game. And when you have a frustrated Edmonton goalie get into the fray as well (in fact, I believe he started that particular fight), I think there's too much. And it just kills the tempo of the game everytime there's that long of a stoppage in play while they try to decide who gets the penalties.
I'm not saying get rid of all the fighting, then that just wouldn't be hockey. But get rid of the cheep shots and the knock down, drag outs that have been happening too much lately. Suspend a few people if you have too (like Ovechkin, thank you very much - I don't care if he is a superstar in the hockey world). Then maybe they could get back to the basics of the game.
Anyways, that's just my opinion. You don't have to agree with it.
I think to prevent injury a series of things have to happen.
1. Helmut comes off for any reason - fight over.
2. Two guys start to hug and go WWF - fight over - no takedowns and smashing guys into the ice.
3. Self police. Get rid of the instigator rule and if a cheap shot artist takes a cheap shot let the bruiser get a hold of him. This will teach the lesson and expose them for the cowards they are. Not so easy when its face to face. Yes you can not have bruisers going around grabbing guys at random but I don't think they will. They at least seem to have some honour whereas cheap shot artists are just that. I dont see how a nuckle to the chin can be equated to a blindside elbow to the head.
4. Make all elbow and sticks to the head an automatic 5 minute penelty. No excuses or exceptions.
It all comes down to too many players who can't play the game getting drafted . Drop about 10 teams in the league .that can't afford them . Get back to skilled players and the goons that think they are pros will dissapear and the game will get better. Get rid of Bettman and u will have 100% better teams.
honesty both those hits were perfectly clean.. hockey has been like this forever.. there are no problems with the game as it is, its the greatest sport in the world. Hockey is a war, thats what the fans dont realize, we need to stop this talk about headshots and injuries because its hurting the reality of the game. Yes is is a game, but it is a game of men and warriors and a game of fans and worriers.
The GMs do not want the NHL to step up and asses suspensions for these brutal headshots because they dont want to lose the services of their own players but the same GMs whine the loudest when it's their player on the receiving end .
It reflects the lack of respect that they have for their players and the players lack of respect for each other . The cure is plain and simple old time hockey let the players that take such nasty liberties answer to the enforcers . When they get brutalized themseves for taking cheap shots this insanity will come to a screeching halt . It is a simple but effective way to deter such blatantly cowardly behavior and the hollier than thou NHL and its GMs can still sit on the fence and dither about whats good for hockey .
Agreed, stiffer penalties for headshots and stick infractions. Get rid of the instigator and let the players resolve this. For those of you that hate hockey and want to rip the game a part, pick another sport or don't watch. Chances are you don't understand the essence of the sport anyhow.
I haven't seen much of a public outcrying to change baseball when somone throws a ball 90 mph at a hitters head or Nascar when you clip someone's back end to send a message while going how fast. These are very regular acts in their sports with much higher odds that could deliberately kill someone yet they are seen as part of the sport. Leave hockey alone. The biggest issue here is Bettman worried about selling it for greedy owners and what is going to appeal to a bigger audience thus more $$$$. I say scale back the teams place a better product on the ice.
Seabrook's hit on Perry was much dirtier than Wisniewski's hit on Seabrook. If they keep up this type of whining they will turn a great physical sport into the ice capades.
The League commissoners and the Refs should get their heads out of the sand and wake up...All the problems with these "headshots" started when the NHL in their wisdom ??? decided to put in stupid rules such as: the Insitgator rule, and call borderline penalties for slashing & hooking...Also, the refs are way too inconsistent in calling these penalties and should get on the same page...To reduce headshots and other dirty play, let the players do a little slashing & hooking, remove the instigator rule, and introduce no-touch-icing.....The players will then be able to police themselves - at least to a certain extent..
Are you kidding me. Are none of these sports writers over 35? Remember the old Flyers-I can still remember a number of Stanley cup games between them and Boston when the ice had huge patches of red from all the bleeding. And how many times when watching hockney would who see any number of guys being stitched up and the bench.
To suggest that hockey has become more violent is just not true. It's just that the type of violence has changed. MacKenzie states, "Tough part of today's NHL is most violent/questionable plays come on hits/contact. Once upon a time, it was mostly xchecks/hsticks/slash." In Bettman's dumbed-down basketball-on-ice where nobody can touch anyone else without a penalty (that you'd be hard-pressed to find on a replay), a head shot has the same penalty as a tap on the hands. So, yes head shots and Bertuzzi-style retributions should be treated more seriously, but loosen up on the piddly stuff and maybe players will work out some frustrations in lesser ways before it gets to that point.
Hockey is not just a game that athletes play and get paid milllions for. Hockey is some peoples favourite thing in the world. Every Canadain boy grows up thinking about playing in the NHL someday and winning Lord Stanleys cup. Thats why the game has been so competitive and violent for so many years. The players have been highly skilled, and continue to get better as the game becomes more competitive. Thats why in the 60's and 70's there was a puddle of blood on every teams ice every night. Every player back then would do anything to win, to have a shot at the stanley cup, fight, slash, hit, anything to win. Hockey is a war that has one ulimate prize at the end of it, the Stanley Cup. Noone should change the reality of the game, anything to win, anyway for the other team to lose.
I grew up playing hockey and still play hockey at 55 years old. It's a ritual. It's a way of life.
Hockey isn't hockey without the battles for the puck in the corners but when we are seeing premeditated, malicious body checking and head shots it isn't hockey anymore. It's more like a low budget movie with bad actors that no one really wants to see but watch anyway in case there would be some memorable moments. I don't watch NHL regular season games anymore because I don't enjoy watching people getting crippled. I cringe every time I see a potentially life and career altering hit. I watch the playoffs and never miss the finals because the focus at that point is beating the other team by skill and hard work, not by seeing who can send the most people to the hospital. Please! Make the necessary rule changes before any more or any worse injuries occur.
Return to the old time equipment and get rid of the body armour, if you're going to fracture an elbow hitting someone in the helmet you'll think twice before you do it
are you guys for real obviously have never laced them up and played a game for yourself . Its not basket ball hockey is a phisical game and should remain that way. easy for speculators to throw in their two bits maybe they should stick to watching womens hockey.
What a stupid question,of course it's to violent,players have been killed before,and they will be killed again,understand this money takes prescedent over peoples life.
Those jerks who run Hockey don't care as long the money keeps comming,in this country there is an idiotic mentally where Hockey is on a GOD like pedestal,that's why I don't give a dam for the game unless there are changes,Iam surprise that players don't push for more protection for themselves.
You don't see this type of crap in Olympic hockey or Stanley Cup play because winning is what's at stake. I maintain that if a player is injured by a cheap shot and loses games ,the jerk that put him out sits out as many games plus a fine. Ovechin should be the 1st to polish up his golf clubs. His season should be done. OH! can't do that $$$$$$ lost at the gates. Tough!
Are you kidding me? Everything that is wrong with hocket today is a direct result of something that Garry Bettman has done, or hasn't done to "improve" the game. When guys were allowed to stick up for their team mates this kind of thing didn't happen. And the disciplinary committee. Where are their heads at? If a guys takes a run at somebody and intentionally injures him, he should be out as long as the injured player. That would stop this crap from happening. Oh, and let's not penalize our superstars, what a load. But hey, if they know nothing is going to happen to them, why would they stop. And how can a society that's gone crazy for MMA and UFC, consider hockey to be violent? Wake up people!
What a bunch of wusses playing tough guys while covered in body armour. If the NHLers of today had to play against real Original Six playes they'd get smoked.
Well, lets have some fun and see them try to "play" without the armour. If REAL men, Rugby players can compete without whimpering why can't these failed hockey players.
Hockey as played these days is for wusses. Let 'em play in their jocks and see how hard they hit. Get rid of the body armour and we can once again have a NHL we're not ashamed of. They can't play AND they can't fight!
North American hockey is in a cocoon of its own...Head shots are horrendous, but so are stupid fights where fellows break their hands , their noses, and whatever..
Plus, this open ice hitting 5 seconds after a player has released the puck is just a silly and is another reason why there are so many concussions...No other sport allows this: it's called charging or a late hit...
Plus, ss others have mentioned in this blog, the Olympic hockey we watched was awesome: no silly violence, lots of clean checks and no second hand scuffles plus great skating, passing and the real skills. It's sad to see all this nonsense after the Olympic hockey tournament and which can easily be curtailed . This ludicrous entitlement to legalized assaulting is controlled and dealt with expeditiously in every other sport...Look at the NBA , rugby, soccer leagues around the world, the NFL, ...Do they allow this silly violence? ...Plus, it's the wrong message for the kids too.
NHL players are not out of control, Gary Bettman and Colin Campbell have no leadership, control or respect from owners, players and fans. Boston vs Pittsburgh, Colin is sitting in the fans, warns the teams, owners and players ahead of the game and all it takes is 5 seconds for retaliation. Bettman and Campbell go please, no really gooo..., leave the game..., you suck!!! you are the disgrace, not the players.
The players are a product of their environment.
The Chicago/Anaheim game was a ref disgrace game, lots of offside not called, poor penalty calls against both teams and several major mis-calls.
I agree with Perry above... the type of "violence" has changed. The thing is, this kind of stuff has been happening for a LOOONG time. But I think it's only becoming a bigger deal now that players are getting injured...
The game has changed, players are bigger, faster, stronger, better trained, better skaters, better equipment, and they hit harder than they used to!
Hard to say what the right answer is... because a lot of these "intents to injure" are fairly clean hits (in my opinion), and not much different than what's gone on for years... there's just a whole lot more force behind them now than there has been in years past...
just my opinion - for what it's worth :) great discussion though!!
Does anyone who lives in the real world really care what goes on in the National Hockey League. For the money they get paid, and for what they actually contribute to society, who cares what happens on the ice. Let them beat each other silly.
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That was brutal.. as McKenzie said.. charging, boarding, headshot, interference, premiditated hit, all fits in.
As dirty as they come IMO.. Should definitely be a suspension for this.
Oh.. and poor Hawks, they now lost their top 2 defensemen in just a couple of days.
Posted by: Brandon | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 10:59 AM
If the ref's aren't going to call the headshots let the players police the game like they used to. Before this instigator penalty came into effect there wasn't nearly the concussions or head shots that there are now. Let the guys who deal the head shots get their heads punched in and we'll see a large drop in cheap shots.
Posted by: Cam | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 12:10 PM
I do not think hockey is more violent, I think the skill level of many players is not as high as it should be so they do what they have to to keep up or stay in the game by taking out the good players.
Hockey should be a game of skill, if you have a skill someone with less or equal skill should not try to injure you. Woman's hockey is so good to watch because of this. They have to rely on skill because full contact is not allowed. They do get away with some, but it is not as brutal. Skill should prevail. Also blow the whistle when the puck crosses the blue line like international kockey, this will reduce injuries, there is no prize for getting there first, only pain.
Posted by: Richard | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 12:16 PM
I do not watch hockey on television or go to games...Why go and watch one team try to maim or harm the better players on the other team...Don't care what Don Cherry says..violence does not belong in hockey and neither do dirty hits..
Posted by: Marlyn | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 12:29 PM
I am very disappointed with the Chicago Blackhawks. Seabrooks hot on perry was shoulder to shoulder and Perry was off balance, Seabrook could have easily crushed him harder. Wysnewski was blatant did not care where the puck was, waited until Seabrook was not looking and took a chicken shit shot. The only person that comes to his aid is Keith one of their top defencman. This was only half way thru the second when it happened. Chicago has a few guys that scrap. The very next shift Wysnewski was out one of the scrapers should of smoked him in the boards, dropped the gloves and smashed his nose all over his face. The hawks just lost a top defenceman to a crappy hit the game before, if they do not standup and make a point every Hawk on that team is a target, because there are no repocussions.
Posted by: Brent | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 12:36 PM
until violent players are banned from hockey not just given a tap on the wrist, this problem will not stop, the level of profesionalism is very low at this time, which is why they resort to violence,. there are still some very good profesionals playing, so all this type of action i'm sure is not agreeable to them, but as nothing is done about it they are tarred with the same brush,( too bad0
Posted by: Dave | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 12:52 PM
The dirty shots that have always existed, and have recently escalated, in hockey (at all levels) sickens me.
I'm all for 'men being men', but this isn't the case; this is 'men behaving as children' (but with 200 lbs bodies).
It's dangerous & only a matter of time until someone gets killed. I love the game, but I'm seriously considering not watching any more.
What are these guys so angry about, any ways; it's just a game & they get paid millions of dollars to play it.
Posted by: RanVan | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 12:57 PM
It's always been too violent which is the reason I don't like it. Breaking another player's bones shouldn't be part of a sport.
Posted by: maryp | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 01:00 PM
Womens hockey is good to watch compared to what? The USA VS. Canada is a decent game with the elite female players in the world but let's not compare Women's hockey to the NHL. They are two totally different games. That's like saying flag footbal should be compared to the NFL.
The instigator rule has to go. Another rule stopping head shots would help slow down some of these cheap shots but letting the players resolve things is where this issue needs to get to change the culture of the game back to what it was. It used to be a stand up game where you knew what you dealt out was what you got back. Now there are too many cowards hiding behind rules with no real concequence. If anyone thinks that a another rule and fine is going to stop a 3rd-4th line player who is fitghting for a place on an NHL team(where they are making how much?), you are nuts. How many fines and suspensions has Cooke or Avery had to date and have they changed their game? These are pros that will push the limits and often take the penalty if it means winning. At the end of the day at this level, winning isn't everything, it's the only thing! Let the players sort this out.
Posted by: Steve | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 01:12 PM
All the talk is on the players having less respect, but some of these hits are a result of bad refs letting calls go and players feeling they have to even it up with vigilante justice. The lack of suspensions is another big factor in it. The prime example is the headhun hit by Moore on Naslund. There was no penalty, the refs actually stopped the canucks from going after him and then the leauge did not suspend Moore, and we all know how brutally and ugly that one ended. All three groups need to get in on the solution, the leauge, the refs and the players.
Posted by: Geoff | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 01:17 PM
Hockey is definitely not more violent...only the stick work and equipment are violent. I remember when the benches would clear including the penalty box .Get rid of the third man in rule and the players will settle things themselves as they did years ago. It is a real deterrent when the players that like to use their stick know that if they do, the tough guy will get them!
Posted by: Wayne | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 01:19 PM
I do find that hockey is getting a bit too violent lately. I was watching the Edmonton/Toronto game this past Saturday and I thought that a big brawl just might be iminent. The tension was so heavy in that game. And when you have a frustrated Edmonton goalie get into the fray as well (in fact, I believe he started that particular fight), I think there's too much. And it just kills the tempo of the game everytime there's that long of a stoppage in play while they try to decide who gets the penalties.
I'm not saying get rid of all the fighting, then that just wouldn't be hockey. But get rid of the cheep shots and the knock down, drag outs that have been happening too much lately. Suspend a few people if you have too (like Ovechkin, thank you very much - I don't care if he is a superstar in the hockey world). Then maybe they could get back to the basics of the game.
Anyways, that's just my opinion. You don't have to agree with it.
Posted by: Devil Spice | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 01:26 PM
I think to prevent injury a series of things have to happen.
1. Helmut comes off for any reason - fight over.
2. Two guys start to hug and go WWF - fight over - no takedowns and smashing guys into the ice.
3. Self police. Get rid of the instigator rule and if a cheap shot artist takes a cheap shot let the bruiser get a hold of him. This will teach the lesson and expose them for the cowards they are. Not so easy when its face to face. Yes you can not have bruisers going around grabbing guys at random but I don't think they will. They at least seem to have some honour whereas cheap shot artists are just that. I dont see how a nuckle to the chin can be equated to a blindside elbow to the head.
4. Make all elbow and sticks to the head an automatic 5 minute penelty. No excuses or exceptions.
Posted by: BJ | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 01:30 PM
It all comes down to too many players who can't play the game getting drafted . Drop about 10 teams in the league .that can't afford them . Get back to skilled players and the goons that think they are pros will dissapear and the game will get better. Get rid of Bettman and u will have 100% better teams.
Posted by: Dave W | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 01:31 PM
honesty both those hits were perfectly clean.. hockey has been like this forever.. there are no problems with the game as it is, its the greatest sport in the world. Hockey is a war, thats what the fans dont realize, we need to stop this talk about headshots and injuries because its hurting the reality of the game. Yes is is a game, but it is a game of men and warriors and a game of fans and worriers.
Posted by: jimmy | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 01:37 PM
The GMs do not want the NHL to step up and asses suspensions for these brutal headshots because they dont want to lose the services of their own players but the same GMs whine the loudest when it's their player on the receiving end .
It reflects the lack of respect that they have for their players and the players lack of respect for each other . The cure is plain and simple old time hockey let the players that take such nasty liberties answer to the enforcers . When they get brutalized themseves for taking cheap shots this insanity will come to a screeching halt . It is a simple but effective way to deter such blatantly cowardly behavior and the hollier than thou NHL and its GMs can still sit on the fence and dither about whats good for hockey .
Posted by: Leroy | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 01:43 PM
Agreed, stiffer penalties for headshots and stick infractions. Get rid of the instigator and let the players resolve this. For those of you that hate hockey and want to rip the game a part, pick another sport or don't watch. Chances are you don't understand the essence of the sport anyhow.
I haven't seen much of a public outcrying to change baseball when somone throws a ball 90 mph at a hitters head or Nascar when you clip someone's back end to send a message while going how fast. These are very regular acts in their sports with much higher odds that could deliberately kill someone yet they are seen as part of the sport. Leave hockey alone. The biggest issue here is Bettman worried about selling it for greedy owners and what is going to appeal to a bigger audience thus more $$$$. I say scale back the teams place a better product on the ice.
Posted by: steve | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 02:07 PM
Is hockey getting TOO violent?? Does no one remember hockey 40 years ago???
Posted by: Royford | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 02:08 PM
Seabrook's hit on Perry was much dirtier than Wisniewski's hit on Seabrook. If they keep up this type of whining they will turn a great physical sport into the ice capades.
Posted by: ontdave | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 02:09 PM
The League commissoners and the Refs should get their heads out of the sand and wake up...All the problems with these "headshots" started when the NHL in their wisdom ??? decided to put in stupid rules such as: the Insitgator rule, and call borderline penalties for slashing & hooking...Also, the refs are way too inconsistent in calling these penalties and should get on the same page...To reduce headshots and other dirty play, let the players do a little slashing & hooking, remove the instigator rule, and introduce no-touch-icing.....The players will then be able to police themselves - at least to a certain extent..
Posted by: Jimmyo | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 02:15 PM
Are you kidding me. Are none of these sports writers over 35? Remember the old Flyers-I can still remember a number of Stanley cup games between them and Boston when the ice had huge patches of red from all the bleeding. And how many times when watching hockney would who see any number of guys being stitched up and the bench.
Posted by: David | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 02:29 PM
To suggest that hockey has become more violent is just not true. It's just that the type of violence has changed. MacKenzie states, "Tough part of today's NHL is most violent/questionable plays come on hits/contact. Once upon a time, it was mostly xchecks/hsticks/slash." In Bettman's dumbed-down basketball-on-ice where nobody can touch anyone else without a penalty (that you'd be hard-pressed to find on a replay), a head shot has the same penalty as a tap on the hands. So, yes head shots and Bertuzzi-style retributions should be treated more seriously, but loosen up on the piddly stuff and maybe players will work out some frustrations in lesser ways before it gets to that point.
Posted by: Perry | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 02:45 PM
Hockey is not just a game that athletes play and get paid milllions for. Hockey is some peoples favourite thing in the world. Every Canadain boy grows up thinking about playing in the NHL someday and winning Lord Stanleys cup. Thats why the game has been so competitive and violent for so many years. The players have been highly skilled, and continue to get better as the game becomes more competitive. Thats why in the 60's and 70's there was a puddle of blood on every teams ice every night. Every player back then would do anything to win, to have a shot at the stanley cup, fight, slash, hit, anything to win. Hockey is a war that has one ulimate prize at the end of it, the Stanley Cup. Noone should change the reality of the game, anything to win, anyway for the other team to lose.
Posted by: Jimmy | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 02:45 PM
When watching the olympic hockey I got a new appreciation for what a great game it can be without the violence. No other sport allows it. Why hockey?
Posted by: DaveK | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 02:49 PM
Hockey is war.. thats what people dont understand
Posted by: Jimmy | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 02:53 PM
All I have to say is...Thank God for helmets!!!!!
Posted by: Lisa | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 03:14 PM
I grew up playing hockey and still play hockey at 55 years old. It's a ritual. It's a way of life.
Hockey isn't hockey without the battles for the puck in the corners but when we are seeing premeditated, malicious body checking and head shots it isn't hockey anymore. It's more like a low budget movie with bad actors that no one really wants to see but watch anyway in case there would be some memorable moments. I don't watch NHL regular season games anymore because I don't enjoy watching people getting crippled. I cringe every time I see a potentially life and career altering hit. I watch the playoffs and never miss the finals because the focus at that point is beating the other team by skill and hard work, not by seeing who can send the most people to the hospital. Please! Make the necessary rule changes before any more or any worse injuries occur.
Posted by: AlFromEdmonton | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 05:07 PM
Return to the old time equipment and get rid of the body armour, if you're going to fracture an elbow hitting someone in the helmet you'll think twice before you do it
Posted by: RichardM | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 06:22 PM
are you guys for real obviously have never laced them up and played a game for yourself . Its not basket ball hockey is a phisical game and should remain that way. easy for speculators to throw in their two bits maybe they should stick to watching womens hockey.
Posted by: Dan | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 06:35 PM
What a stupid question,of course it's to violent,players have been killed before,and they will be killed again,understand this money takes prescedent over peoples life.
Those jerks who run Hockey don't care as long the money keeps comming,in this country there is an idiotic mentally where Hockey is on a GOD like pedestal,that's why I don't give a dam for the game unless there are changes,Iam surprise that players don't push for more protection for themselves.
Posted by: frank crozier | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 08:11 PM
You don't see this type of crap in Olympic hockey or Stanley Cup play because winning is what's at stake. I maintain that if a player is injured by a cheap shot and loses games ,the jerk that put him out sits out as many games plus a fine. Ovechin should be the 1st to polish up his golf clubs. His season should be done. OH! can't do that $$$$$$ lost at the gates. Tough!
Posted by: David | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 09:18 PM
Are you kidding me? Everything that is wrong with hocket today is a direct result of something that Garry Bettman has done, or hasn't done to "improve" the game. When guys were allowed to stick up for their team mates this kind of thing didn't happen. And the disciplinary committee. Where are their heads at? If a guys takes a run at somebody and intentionally injures him, he should be out as long as the injured player. That would stop this crap from happening. Oh, and let's not penalize our superstars, what a load. But hey, if they know nothing is going to happen to them, why would they stop. And how can a society that's gone crazy for MMA and UFC, consider hockey to be violent? Wake up people!
Posted by: Bob | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 09:22 PM
What a bunch of wusses playing tough guys while covered in body armour. If the NHLers of today had to play against real Original Six playes they'd get smoked.
Well, lets have some fun and see them try to "play" without the armour. If REAL men, Rugby players can compete without whimpering why can't these failed hockey players.
Posted by: Tom | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 09:59 PM
Hockey as played these days is for wusses. Let 'em play in their jocks and see how hard they hit. Get rid of the body armour and we can once again have a NHL we're not ashamed of. They can't play AND they can't fight!
Posted by: Tom | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 10:02 PM
North American hockey is in a cocoon of its own...Head shots are horrendous, but so are stupid fights where fellows break their hands , their noses, and whatever..
Plus, this open ice hitting 5 seconds after a player has released the puck is just a silly and is another reason why there are so many concussions...No other sport allows this: it's called charging or a late hit...
Plus, ss others have mentioned in this blog, the Olympic hockey we watched was awesome: no silly violence, lots of clean checks and no second hand scuffles plus great skating, passing and the real skills. It's sad to see all this nonsense after the Olympic hockey tournament and which can easily be curtailed . This ludicrous entitlement to legalized assaulting is controlled and dealt with expeditiously in every other sport...Look at the NBA , rugby, soccer leagues around the world, the NFL, ...Do they allow this silly violence? ...Plus, it's the wrong message for the kids too.
Posted by: Daniel | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 10:31 PM
NHL players are not out of control, Gary Bettman and Colin Campbell have no leadership, control or respect from owners, players and fans. Boston vs Pittsburgh, Colin is sitting in the fans, warns the teams, owners and players ahead of the game and all it takes is 5 seconds for retaliation. Bettman and Campbell go please, no really gooo..., leave the game..., you suck!!! you are the disgrace, not the players.
The players are a product of their environment.
The Chicago/Anaheim game was a ref disgrace game, lots of offside not called, poor penalty calls against both teams and several major mis-calls.
Posted by: Spacemann | Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 11:28 PM
I agree with Perry above... the type of "violence" has changed. The thing is, this kind of stuff has been happening for a LOOONG time. But I think it's only becoming a bigger deal now that players are getting injured...
The game has changed, players are bigger, faster, stronger, better trained, better skaters, better equipment, and they hit harder than they used to!
Hard to say what the right answer is... because a lot of these "intents to injure" are fairly clean hits (in my opinion), and not much different than what's gone on for years... there's just a whole lot more force behind them now than there has been in years past...
just my opinion - for what it's worth :) great discussion though!!
Posted by: Jeremy Weiss | Friday, March 19, 2010 at 01:01 AM
Does anyone who lives in the real world really care what goes on in the National Hockey League. For the money they get paid, and for what they actually contribute to society, who cares what happens on the ice. Let them beat each other silly.
Posted by: Greg | Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at 09:19 PM