Eklund: Thornton v Mrazek? Who was right and who was wrong? Rumors to come

Mrazek's embellishment was laughable.

They went right after Thornton but the ref intervened. And clear embellishment...

Eklund: Thornton v Mrazek? Who was right and who was wrong? Rumors to come
- Eklund

Well Bergevin did not get renewed by McDonalds, he could be out....

Joe crossed the line, significantly. You just do not punch goaltenders in their face like that. Looks like idiot to me. Both him and Cans defenders should ashamed. He would not walk for 2 weeks, had he done that 15 years ago.
Scared where today's NHL is heading, no respect what so ever. It used to be tough but fair and respectful sport. Surprised it comes from player like him.

Joe crossed the line, significantly. You just do not punch goaltenders in their face like that. Looks like idiot to me. Both him and Cans defenders should ashamed. He would not walk for 2 weeks, had he done that 15 years ago.
Scared where today's NHL is heading, no respect what so ever. It used to be tough but fair and respectful sport. Surprised it comes from player like him.
- Keith25

Incidentally, this February is the 20th anniversary of McSorley's attempted decapitation of Brashear ...

Mrazek slashed him for digging at his glove and then confronted him about it. I dunno...why can't he punch him? It wasn't like he really wailed on him, it was one shot. Who cares? And the Canes certainly came to his defense.

Old man Thornton getting grumpy in his old age

Old man Thornton getting grumpy in his old age
- KINGS67

at least he kept all of his beard this time

Mrazek slashed him for digging at his glove and then confronted him about it. I dunno...why can't he punch him? It wasn't like he really wailed on him, it was one shot. Who cares? And the Canes certainly came to his defense.
- mgriffen

Players used to respect goaltenders and could expect retaliation after late poke checks like that. Goalies are vulnerable and dependent on own defenders to protect against such stuff. Of course Mrazek got pissed off and slashed him. Thornton should expect nothing else. If you watch it few times you can see Mrazek had no intentions for physical contact. He rather wanted to yell at him. Thornton made himself to look and acted like fool.

Players used to respect goaltenders and could expect retaliation after late poke checks like that. Goalies are vulnerable and dependent on own defenders to protect against such stuff. Of course Mrazek got pissed off and slashed him. Thornton should expect nothing else. If you watch it few times you can see Mrazek had no intentions for physical contact. He rather wanted to yell at him. Thornton made himself to look and acted like fool.
- Keith25

I think that's a little harsh on Joe. The dig deserved a whack, for sure. But if the goalie considers himself so vulnerable then let a defenseman do that. The slash and then getting in his face... I don't know, yeah players shouldn't hit goalies, but this is nowhere even close to something like the Lucic hit on Miller. It's a love tap in comparison, and that's why I don't really think it's a big deal.

Joe crossed the line, significantly. You just do not punch goaltenders in their face like that. Looks like idiot to me. Both him and Cans defenders should ashamed. He would not walk for 2 weeks, had he done that 15 years ago.
Scared where today's NHL is heading, no respect what so ever. It used to be tough but fair and respectful sport. Surprised it comes from player like him.
- Keith25

If Mrazek can't handle a little roughing then he should keep his stick to himself and stay in his crease to let someone capable handle it.

it was not the punch that knocked him down, it was the smell of that beard.

Mrazek took a wild baseball swing there, but didn't connect. Clocking a goalie in the neck is a cheap shot. Mrazek > Thornton

Looked like a Lucic sucker until I looked at the replay. Mrazik should be embarrassed.

If Mrazek can't handle a little roughing then he should keep his stick to himself and stay in his crease to let someone capable handle it.
- RonPielep

I agree with both of you. If it is 2 players I am fully ok. But to punch goaltender like that is really cheap. That punch was not defensive, it was just cheap. Classless from Joe.

it was not the punch that knocked him down, it was the smell of that beard.
- Symba007

it was not the punch that knocked him down, it was the smell of that beard.
- Symba007

get some head and shoulders in that bush bud

At first I thought he took a dive but getting the end of your mask shoved into your throat probably hurts a bit.

If Mrazek can't handle a little roughing then he should keep his stick to himself and stay in his crease to let someone capable handle it.
- RonPielep

This. With the way some people are acting, you'd think Thornton 2-handed him the the face.

- Symba007

Apparently it was Martinook, Hamilton and Svechnikov who came up with the idea.

Teravainen was the guy that laid on the ice to be traced.




Also, Mrazek totally dove, but Thornton had been getting in his face and giving him little pokes and wacks with his stick for most of the shift leading up to the incident. Shouldn't have thrown a punch.

Ultimately, Mrazek getting a slashing call and Jumbo getting an extra two for roughing was the right call.

I agree with both of you. If it is 2 players I am fully ok. But to punch goaltender like that is really cheap. That punch was not defensive, it was just cheap. Classless from Joe.
- Keith25

A man had just taken a wild slash and him then started to come toward him. But yeah, not defensive at all.

Embellishment?

The punch was to Mrazek's throat. How well would you handle a punch to the adam's apple? That said, I've always respected Thornton and I chalk it up to a heat of the moment situation. The game was too close to take a dumb retaliation penalty. Still would have like to see Edmundson go after him just for a little vigilante justice but it wouldn't have helped Carolina with the final game results.