Well, in typical NHL head scratching fashion, the league ended up punishing him for the lateness of the hit... not the head shot itself. THAT doesn't make any sense to me. It doesn't to Kara Yorio either.
Of course, I can't be completely happy with this decision because of the explanation.Heck, even the NFL knows it makes sense to ban head shots. Hey, I'm all for tough play on the ice, but as far as I'm concerned, intentional head shots have no place in the game. When is the NHL going to stop with the taking of "small steps" in regards to this issue and finally address it strongly once and for all ????
Campbell's statement did not mention that Janssen hit Kaberle in the head. If Janssen had hit Kaberle late but not in the head, it's very unlikely there would have been an injury. There certainly wouldn't have been the scary scene that followed the brutal hit. As a matter of fact, it wouldn't even have been noticed. Late hits happen all the time. Guys shake them off and catch up to the play. Just another part of the game.
Like blows to the head, unfortunately.
Lost in the public explanation of this decision is that it's the type of hit, in conjunction with the timing of it, that makes it so dangerous and worthy of a suspension.
No one can convince me otherwise.
But at least this is a small step in the right direction for the NHL. If players realize they can't take advantage of an opponent after the play, maybe it'll cut down on some of the vicious, dangerous shots to the head.
(my emphasis)
Hopefully they'll wakeup before someone is laid out for good.
2 comments:
eh.
Janssen's hit was bad because it was away from the puck and he left his feet when throwing it. If Thomas Kaberle had the puck in his possession when Janssen hit him(and Cam hadn't left his feet) then i have no problem with the hit.
I do have a problem with Thomas Kaberle admiring his own fancy pass and not being aware that he is playing in a physical sport. It wasn't too long ago that Scott Stevens leveled this clown with a hit while he was oggling at the puck. Hockey is not soccer. The hits are what keeps it from becoming that. If you can't keep your head up and be aware of your surroundings on the ice, then you have no business being there. There are plenty of roller leagues.
I have a problem with a player getting clocked more than 2 seconds after making a pass. Whether his heads down or not.
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