Paul Stewart: Burrows Hit on McDonagh: Where Were the Rangers?

Fantastic blog.

Thank you for that.

I actually didn't think the hit was all that bad.

Can somebody please explain to me why this was such a dirty hit?
And don't tell me it's because McDonagh was already being engaged by another forechecker, there's nothing in the rulebook about that.

I actually didn't think the hit was all that bad.

Can somebody please explain to me why this was such a dirty hit?
And don't tell me it's because McDonagh was already being engaged by another forechecker, there's nothing in the rulebook about that.
- Coburns_Nose

well, he went in with his hands and stick up and there were only seconds left in the game

he had no interest in getting the puck, which is probably what a player should be interested in with his team down two goals and clinging to life in the playoff race

I actually didn't think the hit was all that bad.

Can somebody please explain to me why this was such a dirty hit?
And don't tell me it's because McDonagh was already being engaged by another forechecker, there's nothing in the rulebook about that.
- Coburns_Nose

You're confusing "dirty" with "illegal."

It wasn't an "illegal" hit, much like Matt Cooke's hit on Marc Savard wasn't illegal.

But it was "dirty", as he (much like Cooke) had no intention of playing the puck, and instead was only interested in running the player and causing injury while the player was prone.

I actually didn't think the hit was all that bad.

Can somebody please explain to me why this was such a dirty hit?
And don't tell me it's because McDonagh was already being engaged by another forechecker, there's nothing in the rulebook about that.
- Coburns_Nose

So what if it isn't in the rulebook. Most of the time it's an interpretation of the rulebook that is used.

You're confusing "dirty" with "illegal."

It wasn't an "illegal" hit, much like Matt Cooke's hit on Marc Savard wasn't illegal.

But it was "dirty", as he (much like Cooke) had no intention of playing the puck, and instead was only interested in running the player and causing injury while the player was prone.
- jmatchett383

I think that's exactly right

The Rangers are soft as butter. That could be a big problem come playoffs

You're confusing "dirty" with "illegal."

It wasn't an "illegal" hit, much like Matt Cooke's hit on Marc Savard wasn't illegal.

But it was "dirty", as he (much like Cooke) had no intention of playing the puck, and instead was only interested in running the player and causing injury while the player was prone.
- jmatchett383

Yup

my weiner is soft as butter. That could be a big problem come my wedding night
- Vukota

fixed

well, he went in with his hands and stick up and there were only seconds left in the game

he had no interest in getting the puck, which is probably what a player should be interested in with his team down two goals and clinging to life in the playoff race
- jimbo83

This "there wasn't any time left" and "he didn't try to play the puck" stuff is just weird. There were 45 seconds or so left, and the game is 60 minutes long, not 59:15. We've seen 2 goals scored in less than that several times this year alone. Losing the game meant the Canucks' chances went from 5% to .03% or something. I should hope Burrows was still trying to make something happen.

When checking, you play the puck or you play the man to get him off the puck to break up the play or so one of your guys can get the puck. This is Hockey 101. Why are we suddenly acting like this is a dirtbag move? It's just hockey.

Hands up - idk. Looked like he was bracing himself but if you want to be upset about something, okay.

Reading all this, it just seems like people saw the name Burrows and saw the result and have built bizarre narratives to justify the conclusions they jumped to. Burrows is totally a d$%& and all, but he's not a cheap shot artist and this hit just wasn't cheap.

fixed
- jimbo83

This "there wasn't any time left" and "he didn't try to play the puck" stuff is just weird. There were 45 seconds or so left, and the game is 60 minutes long, not 59:15. We've seen 2 goals scored in less than that several times this year alone. Losing the game meant the Canucks' chances went from 5% to .03% or something. I should hope Burrows was still trying to make something happen.

When checking, you play the puck or you play the man to get him off the puck to break up the play or so one of your guys can get the puck. This is Hockey 101. Why are we suddenly acting like this is a dirtbag move? It's just hockey.

Hands up - idk. Looked like he was bracing himself but if you want to be upset about something, okay.

Reading all this, it just seems like people saw the name Burrows and saw the result and have built bizarre narratives to justify the conclusions they jumped to. Burrows is totally a d$%& and all, but he's not a cheap shot artist and this hit just wasn't cheap.
- flowerdew

oh well I'd hate to see him get hurt while in the midst of trying to annihilate someone, that would have been too bad

oh well I'd hate to see him get hurt while in the midst of trying to annihilate someone, that would have been too bad
- jimbo83

You're kidding or you're overtired

You're kidding or you're overtired
- flowerdew

oh dude, I am so overtired you have no idea

This "there wasn't any time left" and "he didn't try to play the puck" stuff is just weird. There were 45 seconds or so left, and the game is 60 minutes long, not 59:15. We've seen 2 goals scored in less than that several times this year alone. Losing the game meant the Canucks' chances went from 5% to .03% or something. I should hope Burrows was still trying to make something happen.

When checking, you play the puck or you play the man to get him off the puck to break up the play or so one of your guys can get the puck. This is Hockey 101. Why are we suddenly acting like this is a dirtbag move? It's just hockey.

Hands up - idk. Looked like he was bracing himself but if you want to be upset about something, okay.

Reading all this, it just seems like people saw the name Burrows and saw the result and have built bizarre narratives to justify the conclusions they jumped to. Burrows is totally a d$%& and all, but he's not a cheap shot artist and this hit just wasn't cheap.
- flowerdew

The point of body checking isn't to attempt to cause as much pain and injury as possible to the puck carrier. It is either to separate the puck from the carrier or to impede the puck carrier's progress. If Burrows was interested in trying to tie the game, the check was not the way to do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eseS0k41pqM

Look at the replay. At 0:51, Kassian makes contact with McDonagh, and the puck is loose right in front of Burrows. Since McDonagh is engaged with Kassian, Burrows could easily pick up the puck, circle around the back on the net, and try for either a pass or a shot. Instead, he figures the better idea is to deliver a check with his arms/stick high, which eliminates any possibility of playing the puck.

Basically, he did not deliver a check for any other reason that to take advantage of a player in a prone position. Again, it's not technically illegal, but it's a dirty play. And this is coming from a guy who hates the Rangers.

Paul, I touched on this in my Rangers blog yesterday, separate section called McDonagh and Lack of Retaliation:

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=59085

Rangers didn't respond? As far as I can see, Girardi threw a punch to the back of Burrows' head and knocked his little ass down and Zuc is probably smaller than Marty, what was he supposed to accomplish?...Carcillo wanted out for the last shift to try and gain some retribution, but Vigneault held him to the bench...either a soft play by a coach, or a wise coach realizing that the game was well in hand, and if Carcillo did anything out of emotion, not only was his player looking at suspension, but he was probably looking at a nice hefty fine...blame the NHL for that, not the coach

Dirty elbow, but I think NYR responded as best they could...unless they were planning on taking it out on a player who's last name wasn't Burrows for the last shift or two before the horn

Rangers didn't respond? As far as I can see, Girardi threw a punch to the back of Burrows' head and knocked his little ass down and Zuc is probably smaller than Marty, what was he supposed to accomplish?...Carcillo wanted out for the last shift to try and gain some retribution, but Vigneault held him to the bench...either a soft play by a coach, or a wise coach realizing that the game was well in hand, and if Carcillo did anything out of emotion, not only was his player looking at suspension, but he was probably looking at a nice hefty fine...blame the NHL for that, not the coach

Dirty elbow, but I think NYR responded as best they could...unless they were planning on taking it out on a player who's last name wasn't Burrows for the last shift or two before the horn
- HabzSquanch

Girardi does throw a small punch, but then the entire team skates away before VERY half-heartedly initiating a "scrum." Girardi (or someone) should have turned around, dropped the gloves, and started to unload on Burrows. Instead, it came off as more of a, "Excuse me, Mr. Burrows, but you hit our player, so now we're gonna push you."

Rangers didn't respond? As far as I can see, Girardi threw a punch to the back of Burrows' head and knocked his little ass down and Zuc is probably smaller than Marty, what was he supposed to accomplish?...Carcillo wanted out for the last shift to try and gain some retribution, but Vigneault held him to the bench...either a soft play by a coach, or a wise coach realizing that the game was well in hand, and if Carcillo did anything out of emotion, not only was his player looking at suspension, but he was probably looking at a nice hefty fine...blame the NHL for that, not the coach

Dirty elbow, but I think NYR responded as best they could...unless they were planning on taking it out on a player who's last name wasn't Burrows for the last shift or two before the horn
- HabzSquanch

Dirty elbow to the shoulder?

Girardi does throw a small punch, but then the entire team skates away before VERY half-heartedly initiating a "scrum." Girardi (or someone) should have turned around, dropped the gloves, and started to unload on Burrows. Instead, it came off as more of a, "Excuse me, Mr. Burrows, but you hit our player, so now we're gonna push you."
- jmatchett383

This is the AV style. Get the PP, don't take additional penalties.

They're just coached like that.

You're confusing "dirty" with "illegal."

It wasn't an "illegal" hit, much like Matt Cooke's hit on Marc Savard wasn't illegal.

But it was "dirty", as he (much like Cooke) had no intention of playing the puck, and instead was only interested in running the player and causing injury while the player was prone.
- jmatchett383

No way man, huge assumption. You're in his head? You know he wanted to hurt the guy?

That's pretty bad. Call it dirty sure, but assuming the guy wanted to hurt him is just wrong.

No way man, huge assumption. You're in his head? You know he wanted to hurt the guy?

That's pretty bad. Call it dirty sure, but assuming the guy wanted to hurt him is just wrong.
- Mattjd123

the actions in both cases lead people to assume theyre trying to hurt the other player, its just the eye test

burrows comes in and blasts him when he's already tied up with kassian, if he didnt want to hurt him get the puck and try and score

the actions in both cases lead people to assume theyre trying to hurt the other player, its just the eye test

burrows comes in and blasts him when he's already tied up with kassian, if he didnt want to hurt him get the puck and try and score
- NYRangers1124

Huge assumptions again. Just because he hit him, does not mean he tried to hurt him.

The eye test also shows me the puck was in both of their feet. He's just trying to remove McDonagh from the play.

Huge assumptions again. Just because he hit him, does not mean he tried to hurt him.

The eye test also shows me the puck was in both of their feet. He's just trying to remove McDonagh from the play.
- Mattjd123

yeah, because Burrows has never tried to hurt anyone