I know that it won't effect what happens, but it is still a terrible thing to wish upon someone else.
- carcus

You really think anyone will be decapitated ? Boo phucking hoo. I apologize for NADA.

I am not surprised as I have seen Blues players get suspended for 3 games for hits and they were also first time offenders.

It is not like this is out of the norm. Suspensions have had no rhyme or reason all season long.

I think he came down hard on Shaw because it was not only a hit to the head, but a hit to the head of a goaltender in a situation where Shaw had no buisness even touching him.

I thought that the Miller incident was terrible, but it isn't a good comparision as Miller came flying out of his crease to play the puck. Smith was standing behind the goal. Also, I think that they learned their lesson with the Miller hit and need to be more harsh when hits to the head of goaltenders happen. That is what we want the NHL to do, right? Learn a lesson if they make a mistake and get it right next time? I know it sucks because someone else got away with it, but I think Shaw's punishment fits the crime if you ignore everything else and just look at that one hit.
- carcus

I still have no clue why a goalie should get any extra protection over anyone else when he's playing the puck outside the crease. Makes exactly zero sense.

Raffi Torres is a little punk. At least be a man and answer for your actions when Bollig comes calling. He's not alone. 55 from Detroit is the same thing. Phoenix players laughing at one of the true stars (and gentlemen) in the game being strapped to a stretcher.

Stay Classy, indeed.
- John Jaeckel

Garry Galley (who is covering the Sens/Rags game) said the Rangers bench was taunting the Sens and specifically Alfie when he got injured as well. Sometimes I think its good we can't hear what is said.

Alright well then your minds made up what differnce do you care what we think over here? Lets just agree to disagree.

It was more then a really hard hit.. Thats also been explained ad nauseum.
- mvp0207

I agree just the way I typed it.

Well it's a fair point, isn't it?



And how did I feel about that hit? That it was charging.

That's an interesting comparison. Does this come down to injuries, then?
I.E. if Kesler left the game on a stretcher, does Kronwall get suspended?

If Hossa get's up on that hit, is Torres still suspended?
- Mattjd123

I think Torres' history this season is the key difference. Not only is he head-hunting, but he's left his feet more than once and injured someone. THAT is the problem I have with it.

I am not surprised as I have seen Blues players get suspended for 3 games for hits and they were also first time offenders.

It is not like this is out of the norm. Suspensions have had no rhyme or reason all season long.

I think he came down hard on Shaw because it was not only a hit to the head, but a hit to the head of a goaltender in a situation where Shaw had no buisness even touching him.

I thought that the Miller incident was terrible, but it isn't a good comparision as Miller came flying out of his crease to play the puck. Smith was standing behind the goal. Also, I think that they learned their lesson with the Miller hit and need to be more harsh when hits to the head of goaltenders happen. That is what we want the NHL to do, right? Learn a lesson if they make a mistake and get it right next time? I know it sucks because someone else got away with it, but I think Shaw's punishment fits the crime if you ignore everything else and just look at that one hit.
- carcus

3 regular season games. Shaw in essence received one the biggest suspensions levied by this regime. or about 18 regular season games. This was not only inconsistent this JUMPED THE SHARK.

Raffi Torres is a little punk. At least be a man and answer for your actions when Bollig comes calling. He's not alone. 55 from Detroit is the same thing. Phoenix players laughing at one of the true stars (and gentlemen) in the game being strapped to a stretcher.

Stay Classy, indeed.
- John Jaeckel

In a perfect world....Torres and Kronwall would collide and they'd both disappear.

Incorrect. Smith leaned in/down to pay the puck, long after Shaw committed to try to swing by him. That's when the contact happened. Lucic had WAY more opportunity to pull up.
- John Jaeckel

Oh, come on JJ. I know you really don't believe that, do you? Watch it one more time. Smith doesn't lean in long after Shaw committed to anything. His head was down in that position for quite a while and he didn't move it until Shaw moved it for him. 16 second mark of the video is a great angle looking straight down on the hit. His head is not moving and is down before Shaw turns the corner of the goal.

Well it's a fair point, isn't it?



And how did I feel about that hit? That it was charging.

That's an interesting comparison. Does this come down to injuries, then?
I.E. if Kesler left the game on a stretcher, does Kronwall get suspended?

If Hossa get's up on that hit, is Torres still suspended?
- Mattjd123

Very fair question. I can't argue it. And to me it DOES seem the the league is punishing injuries (even if I don't agree with it).

My issue is guys like Torres and Kronwall doing this OVER AND OVER AGAIN and the league has done nothing (to Kronwall), or too little (to Torres).

Does Kronwall being "a star" (like Weber) have something to do with it? I think so.

Further, neither Kronwall nor Torres answers to "player discipline." Cowards.

I also think that for me and a lot of people here, the 2 and 10 on Shaw and 3 games for Smith's One Man Drama makes this all the more hard to take. FWIW.

I think enough has been said of the hit. We know it's going to be at least 5 based on the fact that there's already an in-person hearing scheduled. My prediction? The rest of the playoffs plus 14 games next season. I believe that would be somewhat fair.

As for the game itself, that was a tough way to lose for Crawford who has been as good as he's been all year in these 3 games. That goal, which was very reminiscent of Kane's Stanley Cup clincher, was a very weak one.

Speaking of Kaner, he had an absolutely abysmal game last night. He looked very lazy on every backcheck, especially on the play leading to the winning goal, wasn't strong on the puck in the offensive zone as he usually is and passed up way too many shooting chances with traffic.

Now, a few pluses from last night:

1. Michael Frolik might have played the best game he's ever played for the Hawks. He was all over the ice, created tons of turnovers, had lots of speed and was solid defensively. Was glad to finally see him rewarded.

2. Jonathan Toews finally seems to be getting his faceoff mojo back. He was dominant in the circles last night.

3. Brent Seabrook and Nik Hjalmarsson were dynamite in their own zone, blocking shots and making solid plays. Hammer's break-up of that 2-on-1 was especially key.
- andru2797

Agree on passing up on way too many shots including just prior to the game winner. Disagree, strongly on the lazy back check comment. I thought he was hustling all night, big time.

I still have no clue why a goalie should get any extra protection over anyone else when he's playing the puck outside the crease. Makes exactly zero sense.
- Ogilthorpe2

Makes zero sense?

I don't see how a hockey fan would not understand this.

You keep reciting the Shaw incident as a case of black and white and it WASN'T.
Shaw tried to avoid Smith and had every right to be chasing a puck behind the net. It was incidental contact with a great acting job. So forgive me if i'm sick of your repetitive bull sh!t.
- philco28

Exactely and most people from many different cities saw it this way. Just look at yahoo blogs and where people are from. Or look to others blogs here. ONCE again a game misconduct and 1 post season game or about a 5 game penalty was fair but Carcus you are in the minority if you thought a play like that deserved what amounts to about 15-18 regular season games

Well, i was there, you're right it was a nothing play, Hammer hit him on accident, but to call a 4 on 4 becuse of that was ridiculous. That cost them the game and yes it was another in a long line of horrible ref calls.
- dstarz20

Probably should not have been called, and 4 on 4 helps the team trying to catch up, but:

Aren't the Hawks supposed to be the faster team - one for which 4 on 4 should be an advantage?

Hawks lost a defenseman, but Suns lost probably their best forward.

Teams were at equal strength.

Bad example of refs screwing the Hawks.

Oh, come on JJ. I know you really don't believe that, do you? Watch it one more time. Smith doesn't lean in long after Shaw committed to anything. His head was down in that position for quite a while and he didn't move it until Shaw moved it for him. 16 second mark of the video is a great angle looking straight down on the hit. His head is not moving and is down before Shaw turns the corner of the goal.


- carcus

Fair enough. Looking at it again, I can see your point. Still, I don't see much difference between this and Lucic and THAT was regular season and THIS was playoffs (cuz that's supposed to be mitigating as well).

Oh, come on JJ. I know you really don't believe that, do you? Watch it one more time. Smith doesn't lean in long after Shaw committed to anything. His head was down in that position for quite a while and he didn't move it until Shaw moved it for him. 16 second mark of the video is a great angle looking straight down on the hit. His head is not moving and is down before Shaw turns the corner of the goal.


- carcus

The thing is, I think Shaw deserved to be tossed for his reckless play. Any more? I don't think so. In essence he was suspended almost 4 games, which is ridiculous.

Shaw did hit Smith in the head. That alone in my mind warranted a game. Why 3 with no prior history? That is anyone's guess.

In a perfect world....Torres and Kronwall would collide and they'd both disappear.
- philco28

Matter and anti-matter?

Get the di-lythium chrystals.

3 regular season games. Shaw in essence received one the biggest suspensions levied by this regime. or about 18 regular season games. This was not only inconsistent this JUMPED THE SHARK.
- mvp0207

The more I think about it, the more it does make sense. By dropping this 3 gamer on Shaw it tells the players the bar has been set. The next time this happens in a game, the player will know definitively that he could get 3 games... or 2, or maybe one. He might even get a fine or nothing at all. Maybe he gets 5 games. Maybe 3 games and a fine. Hmmm, where was I? Anyways, the point is... there might be something if they bump a goalie, or, well, there might not. Now they know!

3 regular season games. Shaw in essence received one the biggest suspensions levied by this regime. or about 18 regular season games. This was not only inconsistent this JUMPED THE SHARK.
- mvp0207

How is it like 18 regular season games?

Makes zero sense?

I don't see how a hockey fan would not understand this.
- carcus

You want Goalie Saftey.. They are not allowed to leave the net.. Problem solved.

Oh, come on JJ. I know you really don't believe that, do you? Watch it one more time. Smith doesn't lean in long after Shaw committed to anything. His head was down in that position for quite a while and he didn't move it until Shaw moved it for him. 16 second mark of the video is a great angle looking straight down on the hit. His head is not moving and is down before Shaw turns the corner of the goal.


- carcus

Shaw was equally as vulnerable, never lifted his left arm/elbow/shoulder...his head was looking away trying to avoid contact. INCIDENTAL CONTACT.

He will get slammed. He is the sacrificial lamb for all of Shanahan's goofs and to placate Rocky.

They can't take back Shaw or heal Hossa, so Raffi will get the book thrown at him. What a bunch of clowns.
- John Jaeckel

>I'm starting to think he's gonna get 25 games
>Marc Crawford on TSN last night said that when he coached against a team with Torres, that his name and number were up on the board -- "as a guy who always hits late" -- "be aware when he is on the ice" -- is what he told his players before the game
>I also think the possibility that Bettman was lit up by the Hawks brass face-to-face will tack on games
>Lastly, TSN showed a lowlight package of Torres suspendable hits, listed his previous suspensions and offensives -- there is really no "defense" for this poor excuse of a "hockey player" this time

My issue is guys like Torres and Kronwall doing this OVER AND OVER AGAIN and the league has done nothing (to Kronwall), or too little (to Torres).


- John Jaeckel

The point of suspending a player is to punish a player for a hit based on his neglect for player safety.... SO NO ONE GETS HURT. The NHL has taken a stance that it's not a huge issue with player safety until AFTER someone gets hurt... isn't that a little backwards?

The more I think about it, the more it does make sense. By dropping this 3 gamer on Shaw it tells the players the bar has been set. The next time this happens in a game, the player will know definitively that he could get 3 games... or 2, or maybe one. He might even get a fine or nothing at all. Maybe he gets 5 games. Maybe 3 games and a fine. Hmmm, where was I? Anyways, the point is... there might be something if they bump a goalie, or, well, there might not. Now they know!
- Lohaus

That's the problem...the players have no idea what is suspendable at this point. In October it was crystal clear. Now, it seems it's a guessing game again. Take Weber for example. What he did, in October would have gotten a game or 2. Now nothing but a fine?

Captain Serious said it best: “I don’t know what to expect anymore, I don’t think anyone does.”

Oh, come on JJ. I know you really don't believe that, do you? Watch it one more time. Smith doesn't lean in long after Shaw committed to anything. His head was down in that position for quite a while and he didn't move it until Shaw moved it for him. 16 second mark of the video is a great angle looking straight down on the hit. His head is not moving and is down before Shaw turns the corner of the goal.


- carcus

Do you know how to make the video smaller when you post something as to not screw up our blog. Theres a thing thats called height and width when you embed the vid go to it and change it to about 350 by 225 so you dont offset the entire page.

Man that aggravates me

Fair enough. Looking at it again, I can see your point. Still, I don't see much difference between this and Lucic and THAT was regular season and THIS was playoffs (cuz that's supposed to be mitigating as well).
- John Jaeckel

I would bet good money if the Lucic hit happened in the playoffs that there would have been a suspension. It happened early in the season and they made a mistake. They shouldn't repeat that mistake because they screwed up before with the Lucic hit.