I think it definitely had a bearing on the play. If a player just has to turn around and not protect himself to avoid getting hit, there would be no hitting in hockey.
- TheHank

I'll ask again: why is hitting any player without the puck legal?

I think it definitely had a bearing on the play. If a player just has to turn around and not protect himself to avoid getting hit, there would be no hitting in hockey.
- TheHank

That's just so close to she was asking for it. Hockey seems to be where this argument still makes sense.

Hartnell boarded someone, boarding is against the rules.


That's beyond a slippery slope argument to the point where it isn't credible.

In this one situation, Anitpin turned, Hartnell kept going. I don't care what Antipin did because it wasn't against the rules, I do care what Hartnell did because it was against the rules. Hartnell ends up here often because he breaks the rules.

Antipin's actions didn't cause Hartnell to drive his face into the glass.

I'll ask again: why is hitting any player without the puck legal?
- kingcong39

Ill ask you this then: where is the line drawn? At the exact moment the puck leaves a players stick?

That's just so close to she was asking for it. Hockey seems to be where this argument still makes sense.

Hartnell boarded someone, boarding is against the rules.


That's beyond a slippery slope argument to the point where it isn't credible.

In this one situation, Anitpin turned, Hartnell kept going. I don't care what Antipin did because it wasn't against the rules, I do care what Hartnell did because it was against the rules. Hartnell ends up here often because he breaks the rules.

Antipin's actions didn't cause Hartnell to drive his face into the glass.
- gcomella34

I guess theres 3 sides to every story.

I guess theres 3 sides to every story.
- TheHank

And only one truth.

Which is not a matter of perception.

And only one truth.

Which is not a matter of perception.
- gcomella34

So we are both wrong? Im cool with that.

So we are both wrong? Im cool with that.
- TheHank

Distinct possibility. But I haven't heard anything near a hint of an argument that would convince me the following didn't happen.

1) Antipin violated no rule.
2) Hartnell did.
3) That resulted in instantaneous, major and an ejection.

Those are the facts.

What's in question is if he will or will not get a suspension.

I believe he should, but have no confidence in the department of player personnel to do the right thing.

Ill ask you this then: where is the line drawn? At the exact moment the puck leaves a players stick?
- TheHank

Yes, as even though that's extreme, so is the lengths the players have extended what I believe is the original intent of the hitting rule currently in place.

Distinct possibility. But I haven't heard anything near a hint of an argument that would convince me the following didn't happen.

1) Antipin violated no rule.
2) Hartnell did.
3) That resulted in instantaneous, major and an ejection.

Those are the facts.

What's in question is if he will or will not get a suspension.

I believe he should, but have no confidence in the department of player personnel to do the right thing.
- gcomella34

We all can agree on that.

Yes, as even though that's extreme, so is the lengths the players have extended what I believe is the original intent of the hitting rule currently in place.
- kingcong39

Really? There would be two outcomes, checking would end entirely or half the players would be in the penalty box the whole game.
You see a guy coming to hit you, just dish the puck off and draw a penalty every time. That would suck.

Side note on Antipin,

Did the Sabres ever get a translator on staff working with this guy?

From the outside looking in, just looks like they never handled him correctly.

I doubt he's coming back.

Really? There would be two outcomes, checking would end entirely or half the players would be in the penalty box the whole game.
You see a guy coming to hit you, just dish the puck off and draw a penalty every time. That would suck.
- TheHank

Dish the puck off to nobody, meaning coughing the puck up, which is why many clowns hit guys well after the puck is gone in the first place? Isn't the entire point of hitting supposed to be about separating the man from the puck?

Dish the puck off to nobody, meaning coughing the puck up, which is why many clowns hit guys well after the puck is gone in the first place? Isn't the entire point of hitting supposed to be about separating the man from the puck?
- kingcong39

I don't mind clean hits or players that finish checks, I have a problem with someone finishing their check and driving them into the boards.

These are two different categories.

Dish the puck off to nobody, meaning coughing the puck up, which is why many clowns hit guys well after the puck is gone in the first place? Isn't the entire point of hitting supposed to be about separating the man from the puck?
- kingcong39

Who cares if you cough it up in that scenario? As soon as the other team touches it the whistle would blow and there would be a penalty. Again, that would suck.

Who cares if you cough it up in that scenario? As soon as the other team touches it the whistle would blow and there would be a penalty. Again, that would suck.
- TheHank

The players would need to learn, like they were made to learn the year after the season long lockout when hooking and interference was called all the time.

I guess I'm not as enamored with some elements of the game from a time gone by as I think the game is best when it's played at top speed and with great skill.

The players would need to learn, like they were made to learn the year after the season long lockout when hooking and interference was called all the time.

I guess I'm not as enamored with some elements of the game from a time gone by as I think the game is best when it's played at top speed and with great skill.
- kingcong39

Its a never ending argument. Its a fast physical game, poop is going to happen. Id think players would have learned to defend themselves by now, but they havent. Any way you cut it poop will always happen.

You dont think antipin saw him coming?
- TheHank

sure he did...that's why he put his left arm to protect himself up just before hartnell came in for the kill...yet, his upper body was still at about the same angle...hartnell wanted to crush Antipin...he saw antipin's number just outside the goal line and he continued on...which is fine...but then he decided to plaster Antipin into the boards...you can see that just before impact as he ramped up his check with Antipin a foot away from the glass...when hartnell did that he added extra emphasis to his check and that's when the tragedy occurred...

sure he did...that's why he put his left arm up just before hartnell came in for the kill...yet, his upper body was still at about the same angle...hartnell wanted to crush Antipin...he saw antipin's number just outside the goal line and he continued on...which is fine...but then he decided to plaster Antipin into the boards...you can see that just before impact as he ramped up his check with Antipin a foot away from the glass...when hartnell did that he added extra emphasis to his check and that's when the tragedy occurred...
- Michael Pachla

Fair enough. A hundred things could have happened that would have created a different result. I hope he makes a fast full recovery, i dont want to see that result happen to anyone.

Fair enough. A hundred things could have happened that would have created a different result. I hope he makes a fast full recovery, i dont want to see that result happen to anyone.
- TheHank

i'd like to hear the DoPS view, but won't happen...consistency isn't one of their strong points and their bias indubitably favors certain teams--see boston, Toronto and any other team that's either in playoff race or not named the sabres

i'd like to hear the DoPS view, but won't happen...consistency isn't one of their strong points and the bias indubitably favors certain teams--see boston, Toronto and any other team that's either in playoff race or not named the sabres
- Michael Pachla

I think we all can agree on this. Consistency in non existent with the dps.

I think we all can agree on this. Consistency in non existent with the dps.
- TheHank

it's stupid...marchand just cross-checked a flyer in the face today and nothing did or will happen...the little ball of hate is under the umbrella of one of the most powerful owners in hockey...that's all that matters, apparently

it's stupid...marchand just cross-checked a flyer in the face today and nothing did or will happen...the little ball of hate is under the umbrella of one of the most powerful owners in hockey...that's all that matters, apparently
- Michael Pachla

Yeah hes a grade a scumbag.

nope...not against Toronto...want the 'w' vs. leafs every time they play them
- Michael Pachla

X1000....👍

All of that happened after said player saw a check coming and turned his back on it. Its just a tough spot i think.
- TheHank

He didn’t “turn his back” suddenly
Antipin was facing the boards for a few seconds waiting for the puck & then playing it

Hartnell could have hit him more on the side, but chose to go directly in the back

It was a dirty hit even though it didn’t look that hard
Must have been though to do that damage

Its a never ending argument. Its a fast physical game, poop is going to happen. Id think players would have learned to defend themselves by now, but they havent. Any way you cut it poop will always happen.
- TheHank

Sure...
but players shouldn’t be hitting each other from behind or in the head

I think they’ve been better this year with suspensions,
but they’ve still got a long way to go if they wanna stop this nonsense