The Dion Phaneuf Hit On Okposo: The Fallout

Dion Phaneuf, in a recent preseason game against the New York Islanders, laid a body check on Islanders forward Kyle Okposo as Okposo was crossing the ice heading into the Calgary Flames end. Okposo had his head down, and Phaneuf came in from the opposite boards with the intention of hitting Okposo. There was no doubt about this. Phaneuf, in his four seasons in Calgary, has garnered a reputation as a feared player for his open ice hits. He is paid vast amounts of money to score goals, lay big hits and move the puck up the ice. The hit was determined legal by the referees and the league. Phaneuf did receive a two-minute roughing minor, but this stemmed from the melee afterwards and not the hit itself. The problems here, and there are many, come from many different people and for many different reasons. Problem one is the "elbow." This was a huge, thunderous body check, and Okposo suffered a minor concussion from the hit. Phaneuf’s shoulder hit Okposo in the chest...