The NHL has made its presence known about head shots in the NHL – especially the “textbook” cases that Brad Harold loved to opine about last week which sent Shane Doan to the bench.
However, in reviewing the NHL last night, I came across this hit on Teemu Selanne by Kornball:
I remember hits like this…take a look at a playoff game where Scott Stevens levels the Hurricanes’ Ronnie Francis:
Francis got woozy and needed assistance to get to the bench.
Now, look, I hate the team from the western coast that is not Los Angeles and that is the same for the team from the mid-western state East of Wisconsin, so you might be wondering why I’m caring that much, if it all.
The debate of legal and illegal hits will continue until everyone is on the same page: with those that play the game, with those that officiate the game, and with those that watch the game. Because essentially, everyone is slightly confused on what players “can” do and what they “cannot” do. That issue resides with those that serve as arbitrators, the guys in the striped sweaters and those wearing suits in the league offices. The debate is important as it will serve as a crucible to boil down what is the acceptable standard of hitting in the NHL. Why is it important? We can reduce the long term damage one suffers from taking too many shots and we can prevent a debilitating injury.
The debilitating injury hasn’t happened, yet. What I fear is that one time a severe hit will be delivered and the player will not get up – ever.
And that situation will mar the sport we love so much.
Okay, so what did the players from the team from the western coast that is not Los Angeles think about the hit delivered by Kornball? Head coach Randy Carlyle said the following, “(He) clearly jumped and shouldered him in the jaw. Went for his head. You can see the replay. And the referee says I didn’t see any illegal act. Well, I said, ‘You better look at the replay.’”
Selanne had this response, ”That guy is dangerous out there. One of these days, somebody’s going to get him. I know that. It’s just a matter of time when.
“For sure, his elbow hit my face. I didn’t see the replay. I know how that felt.”
Because of this crack down these debates will continue until either the culture changes or the consistency of the officiating on and off the ice becomes more apparent. All I know is that we lost Doan for three games and we really could have used him last night.
Original Story:
http://onefansperspective.com/2010/10...
