Paul Stewart: On Wilson, Charging and Red Herrings

good read thanks

Thanks a lot for this.
Oates and McPhee should reconsider their wording.
I get sticking up for your guy.
But what they said is disgusting, likely worthy of a fine.

good read thanks
- Winning

Just lost a lot of respect for Oates.

Thanks a lot for this.
Oates and McPhee should reconsider their wording.
I get sticking up for your guy.
But what they said is disgusting, likely worthy of a fine.
- Marc D

Its more than wording. They knew what they were saying. They should reconsider their view. On a strictly team basis, by saying that hit is okay to Wilson your asking for more 5 minute majors that are going to put your team back and might cost you the game like in this case.

The charge was the thing. He basically skated full speed from New Jersey to deliver the hit.

Had he actually took two steps and hit Schenn we wouldn't even be talking about this. Schenn flew so far in to the wall because Wilson was traveling at such a high rate of speed, whether Schenn turned or not, he was going to go flying in to the boards from the impact.

It was a textbook charge and Oates and McPhee should be ashamed of themselves.

So Schenn picks up his and sees Wilson charging at him? What's the difference of what Wilson did compared to what Simmonds did the Flyers 7-1 defeat at the hand of the Caps. I agree that Wilson is charging Schenn so that penalty sits right with me. But who's fault is that Schenn sees Wilson coming and tries to turn at the last minute?

So Schenn picks up his and sees Wilson charging at him? What's the difference of what Wilson did compared to what Simmonds did the Flyers 7-1 defeat at the hand of the Caps. I agree that Wilson is charging Schenn so that penalty sits right with me. But who's fault is that Schenn sees Wilson coming and tries to turn at the last minute?
- blacksheep1

Again, that's a red herring. The onus is on Wilson to avoid or minimize contact. A charging penalty has nothing to do with how the recipient is turned. This was a kamikaze hit, regardless of what Schenn did to increase the danger to himself.

What Schenn did is a whole separate discussion. Yes, he made himself more vulnerable by turning toward the wall.

One of my biggest pet peeves as an official is when you give a guy a break, and he or his coaches either don't realize it or take it a step further and throw it back in your face. This is a prime example. With regard to Wilson getting only a major penalty and not a match- only two words should have come out of the Caps (Oates, McPhee, Ovi, etc) mouths- "Thank you."

Again, that's a red herring. The onus is on Wilson to avoid or minimize contact. A charging penalty has nothing to do with how the recipient is turned. This was a kamikaze hit, regardless of what Schenn did to increase the danger to himself.

What Schenn did is a whole separate discussion. Yes, he made himself more vulnerable by turning toward the wall.
- Paul Stewart

This whole "turning" thing is blown way out of proportion and has been getting on my nerves for years now.

I've been playing this game for 12 years now and let me say that people can't help when they "turn".

Guess what guys- if there's a player skating at 25 mph at me wanting to take my head off, I'm not gonna sit there in a vulnerable position and take it.

Why is it a vulnerable position? Because my head is exposed. I guarantee you that if Schenn just limp fished it, he'd have a broken jaw, and grade 4 concussion, the back of his head would have bounced on the ice, and he would be out until the spring. Money back guarantee that Wilson's principle point of contact would have been Brayden's face.

We turn because it's instinct. You can't help it. Your brain wants to protect the body. It's a reaction. Turning is basically turtling away from a hit. You can't help it.

I believe that Oates and McPhee meant everything they said and are eagerly awaiting the time when a young power forward takes a 60-foot charge at Ovechkin and paralyzes him. After the game, both men will congratulate the player on the hit and wish him well.

So Schenn picks up his and sees Wilson charging at him? What's the difference of what Wilson did compared to what Simmonds did the Flyers 7-1 defeat at the hand of the Caps. I agree that Wilson is charging Schenn so that penalty sits right with me. But who's fault is that Schenn sees Wilson coming and tries to turn at the last minute?
- blacksheep1

If Schenn hadn't turned he still would have been hit at very high speed by a player who had skated as fast as he could thru the whole offensive zone. Schenn turning is irrelevant.

So Schenn picks up his and sees Wilson charging at him? What's the difference of what Wilson did compared to what Simmonds did the Flyers 7-1 defeat at the hand of the Caps. I agree that Wilson is charging Schenn so that penalty sits right with me. But who's fault is that Schenn sees Wilson coming and tries to turn at the last minute?
- blacksheep1

Agreed, Schenn really should've gotten a Turning major and a misconduct. It's equally egregious to what Wilson did. Maybe worse.

Paul Stewart: On Wilson, Charging and Red Herrings
- Paul Stewart

Great read. I know they are sticking up for their guy but the whole what a great hit from the caps was horse poop. If it was backstrom who had gotten hit that way by Rinaldo they'd have called for 10 games. It's about respect IMO

Agreed, Schenn really should've gotten a Turning major and a misconduct. It's equally egregious to what Wilson did. Maybe worse.
- BulliesPhan87

Schenn probably should get a 20 game suspension for what he did. How dare he?

great analysis of the hit. cant explain it any better, especially part explaining the call was a charge so schenn's body positioning is basically irrelevant. I don't like when players put themselves in bad spots but like you said its irrelevant in this case.

Paul, I would love to hear your thoughts about the decision for no suspension or no fine.

I find it incredibly hard to swallow the decision when fans and ex-NHL officials can break down the hit and its potential consequences seemingly better than the NHL.

If Schenn hadn't turned he still would have been hit at very high speed by a player who had skated as fast as he could thru the whole offensive zone. Schenn turning is irrelevant.
- Feanor

yes but apparently not to flyers haters and shanahan

Thanks a lot for this.
Oates and McPhee should reconsider their wording.
I get sticking up for your guy.
But what they said is disgusting, likely worthy of a fine.
- Marc D

Great read. I know they are sticking up for their guy but the whole what a great hit from the caps was horse poop. If it was backstrom who had gotten hit that way by Rinaldo they'd have called for 10 games. It's about respect IMO
- Hextall271

Actually, Gudbranson did it to Alzner not too long ago, and the Caps did not call for anything. He also did not get suspended.

Bad hit, I don't like it, but it's been elevated to apparently being one of the worst we've seen this year because it happened to a Flyer. Seriously, the buzz around this hit is ridiculous.

Actually, Gudbranson did it to Alzner not too long ago, and the Caps did not call for anything. He also did not get suspended.

Bad hit, I don't like it, but it's been elevated to apparently being one of the worst we've seen this year because it happened to a Flyer. Seriously, the buzz around this hit is ridiculous.
- Blackstrom2

most of the "buzz" is people blaming schenn for it. that's why flyers fans are pissed. it's pretty simple.

Actually, Gudbranson did it to Alzner not too long ago, and the Caps did not call for anything. He also did not get suspended.

Bad hit, I don't like it, but it's been elevated to apparently being one of the worst we've seen this year because it happened to a Flyer. Seriously, the buzz around this hit is ridiculous.
- Blackstrom2

the coach and gm are Richards for praising a dangerous hit

good breakdown
shoulda been 2 games

does Shanahan makes these decisions on his own or does he have a team?

I think sometimes there is an opportunity presented, and a player will go way overboard.

I don't believe there was any intent to injure there.....

Crosschecking someone in the head like I saw happen to Kris Versteeg recently is an entirely different story tho - there is certainly intent there....

IMO, I think officials should use instant replay to determine intent when judging a call on a potential major, because in my opinion that's all that matters...

I think sometimes there is an opportunity presented, and a player will go way overboard.

I don't believe there was any intent to injure there.....

Crosschecking someone in the head like I saw happen to Kris Versteeg recently is an entirely different story tho - there is certainly intent there....

IMO, I think officials should use instant replay to determine intent when judging a call on a potential major, because in my opinion that's all that matters...
- Tazer19

yep
and if Schenn was suspended like he should have been for that high crosscheck he would have never been in the Caps game