based on previous hits like this where there was no hearing or suspensions the league called it correctly if your looking for consistency
not saying i agree with it, but there have been numerous occasions this season where there has been a hit to the head and nothing called, especially when that player had his head down and wasnt prepared for the hit
voracek put himself into that position, and he paid the price, it was a big hit and it wasnt with the elbow, it was shoulder and the intent wasnt to injure or go for the head
kind of like the myers on zubrus hit earlier this season
i didnt read the article, but he looked up, look back down and ran into a wall. clean kronwall hit. voracek should research the opposition before the game. he needs one hit to learn his lesson. he's young, now he'll play smarter
I think the major issue should be why was the game not stopped. I hate the Flyers with all my heart but the whistle should have blown right after the hit and the guy's arms lifted in the air. No need for medicial staff to be delayed or to continue play that might put the player in more danger than he already was.
Sometimes clean and devastating hits happen. Michael Sauer, Rangers defenseman, got absolutely hammered by a hard but clean Dion Phaneuf check earlier in the season. He is concussed still and there is no timetable as to when he will return but the hit that caused him to be out long term was textbook.
Nik Kronwall has a reputation as being probably the best open ice hitting defenseman in the league today. The hit, like the one he caught Voracek with, has a nickname as I am sure you are aware of.
The end result is the same as say a dirty head shot, a la vintage Matt Cooke, but this is a physical sport and clean hits do have similar results to dirty ones.
Hopefully Voracek isn't too injured, because injuries should never have an allegiance, despite my pure dislike for the team he plays for. And I am not condoning this Kronwall check because he delivered it to a Flyer.
This is purely about the sport I have been watching since my 11th year on this earth and the fear that what makes this sport so unique, the perfect blend of physicality and high end skill, will soon just become a flag sport.
Stop scrutinizing every hit, especially when they are clean.
Just because Voracek is drooling on himself doesn't mean it wasn't a clean hit. Injuries do not equal suspensions. Rhetoric like this will eventually lead hockey into a non-contact sport.
I think the major issue should be why was the game not stopped. I hate the Flyers with all my heart but the whistle should have blown right after the hit and the guy's arms lifted in the air. No need for medicial staff to be delayed or to continue play that might put the player in more danger than he already was.
Hard hit - not illegal - stupid officiating. - Peca27
Perfectly said. Whistle should have blown right away.
I think the question that needs to be asked is who are you? Clean hit, and if we are going by the definition of the rule, still a clean hit so there is no argument.
This blog reinforces the percieved whiny "NHL against the Flyers" stigma that we fans carry around. Thanks.
Voracek himself said the hit was clean, but who is he to have an opinion on it when it disagrees with those that know better. - MBFlyerfan
Is he supposed to call for his head on a plate? He did the classy thing. Yes Voracek is partially to blame here for having his head down and putting himself in that position but so is Kronwall for launching himself into a vulnerable player's head.
Location: My comments express my views and Eklund's views ...everything I say Eklund agrees with 100% Joined: 12.11.2008
Mar 7 @ 4:58 PM ET
Is he supposed to call for his head on a plate? He did the classy thing. Yes Voracek is partially to blame here for having his head down and putting himself in that position but so is Kronwall for launching himself into a vulnerable player's head. - pharcyde
Voracek turned to face center ice a split second before contact was made. That is the reason the hit was a legal on. Had Voracek not turned prior to the contact, Kronwall hits him shoulder to shoulder
Under Rule 48, leeway is given when a player puts himself in a vulnerable position immediately prior to or simultaneously at the point of contact. Therefore, the fact that the head was the primary point of contact is mitigated. Kronwall was committed to the hit when Voracek turned.
In addition to Voracek saying it was a clean hit, several of Voracek's teammates said the same, as did his GM Paul Holmgren. Fortunately, Voracek seems to be doing well afterward, with no reported concussion symptoms and some stitches and swelling in his lip.
Wasn't a head shot and didn't launch into him... - keatondixon
Didn't say it was a "head shot" ... and he definitely backed off.. sized him up.. took three strides and launched his back/shoulder right into his face.
Location: IT'S GRITTIN TIME, CA Joined: 07.14.2007
Mar 7 @ 5:07 PM ET
Didn't say it was a "head shot" ... and he definitely backed off.. sized him up.. took three strides and launched his back/shoulder right into his face. - pharcyde
I think the major issue should be why was the game not stopped. I hate the Flyers with all my heart but the whistle should have blown right after the hit and the guy's arms lifted in the air. No need for medicial staff to be delayed or to continue play that might put the player in more danger than he already was.
Hard hit - not illegal - stupid officiating. - Peca27
That's my biggest problem with the hit. Play should have been immediately stopped. It was obvious Voracek was in trouble as soon as the hit was made.
The refs in last nights game were very inconsistent, besides the lack of a whistle for an injured player.
