Minnesota @ Wisconsin: 1/22 & 1/23

[solovsfett]

There's been quite a bit said about the specific hits. And a message has been sent to the players. But the broader trend is the big go forward problem. Its clear that Eaves is not going to further send a message to his team (heck, he defended them). And likewise, its clear Alvarez is not going to send a message to Eaves. Its time for the B1G to send a message to both to arrest what is a dangerous trend.

Just watched the cavilini(sp?) hit. There's just no place in hockey for that. I'd keep cavilini in street clothes for about 12 games if I were eaves. He could have paralyzed that kid. Or maybe 12 games is too soft? All it takes is one bad angle and the kid doesn't skate again. Pretty brutal

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: 1/22 & 1/23

Apparently that fact doesn't bother you in the least?

What it looked like post hit should not affect the analysis of the hit. Let's be honest with ourselves, we've all seen lesser hits with the same end result, and we've seen worse hits where guys just pop up, every hit is different. We've wall seen way dirtier hits where the player launches himself into the opposing player and throws a forearm out front to boot. Hockey and football have the very real possibilities that you may end up concussed or even knocked out. That is an unfortunate end result of the games, but it's a choice to watch and to play. I am coming to understand that in this day and age a hit like that is not ok like it was years ago. I still believe that had he just popped up, no one is as incensed as they are now and everyone is talking about Soleway getting away with one instead, one that should have been 5.

I do think the fact that UW played too physically reflects poorly on the coaches.

 

[Happy]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: 1/22 & 1/23

The B1G could fine UW, right? Might be the only way to get Alvarez's attention.

Something is up in the Big Ten. I think there has been more suspensions in the Big Ten the last month than all other schools put together.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

What it looked like post hit should not affect the analysis of the hit. Let's be honest with ourselves, we've all seen lesser hits with the same end result, and we've seen worse hits where guys just pop up, every hit is different. We've wall seen way dirtier hits where the player launches himself into the opposing player and throws a forearm out front to boot. Hockey and football have the very real possibilities that you may end up concussed or even knocked out. That is an unfortunate end result of the games, but it's a choice to watch and to play. I am coming to understand that in this day and age a hit like that is not ok like it was years ago. I still believe that had he just popped up, no one is as incensed as they are now and everyone is talking about Soleway getting away with one instead, one that should have been 5.

I do think the fact that UW played too physically reflects poorly on the coaches.

I'd still not like the hit. I don't like either of the hits that resulted in suspensions. And that has nothing to do with the outcome of either.

There is no room for these types of hits in today's game. Especially at the amateur levels. We know much more about how head injuries impact future quality of life. It's just not worth it. Period IMO.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: 1/22 & 1/23

What it looked like post hit should not affect the analysis of the hit. Let's be honest with ourselves, we've all seen lesser hits with the same end result, and we've seen worse hits where guys just pop up, every hit is different. We've wall seen way dirtier hits where the player launches himself into the opposing player and throws a forearm out front to boot. Hockey and football have the very real possibilities that you may end up concussed or even knocked out. That is an unfortunate end result of the games, but it's a choice to watch and to play. I am coming to understand that in this day and age a hit like that is not ok like it was years ago. I still believe that had he just popped up, no one is as incensed as they are now and everyone is talking about Soleway getting away with one instead, one that should have been 5.

I do think the fact that UW played too physically reflects poorly on the coaches.

My take on the hit was based upon what I saw posted here. I didn't see the aftermath with the Gopher player apparently flopping on the ice or whatever you flippantly dismissed as no big deal.

My take on ALL hits like that is that they shouldn't be part of the game - regardless of whether a player pops back up or not.

The problem with a hit like that possibly being legal is that it encourages players to try it. Of course if he misses, we have one guy flopping on the ice and one guy facing a suspension. Could a "lesser hit" produce the same result? Sure. Heck, two guys running into each other could produce the same result, but the garden variety hockey check is statistically far less likely to produce that outcome compared to an open ice predatory one.

I don't know if you played or not (my guess is no), but if you did, you know that a hit like that serves no hockey purpose. I have opportunities to blindside guys every time I play as they do me, but since it's no-check, we pass up those opportunities and simply poke away the puck and guess what, it works 99.9% of the time.

Again - for all the tough guy former players - I don't care if it was okay back in the day. Asbestos was once used in industry. Time goes by and we learn.


And UW didn't play "too physically," they played cheaply and you are showing your homerism by trying to make that semantical distinction.

 

[5mn_Major]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: 1/22 & 1/23

My take on the hit was based upon what I saw posted here. I didn't see the aftermath with the Gopher player apparently flopping on the ice or whatever you flippantly dismissed as no big deal.

He laid unmoving on his back except for an ungloved hand which was twitching for about a minute. If you can't find it on youtube, then you can on BTN2Go.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: 1/22 & 1/23

He laid unmoving on his back except for an ungloved hand which was twitching for about a minute. If you can't find it on youtube, then you can on BTN2Go.

No biggie, right?

Shoulda kept his head up.

I paid to be entertained puppets!

 

[goldy_331]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: 1/22 & 1/23

No biggie, right?

Shoulda kept his head up.

I paid to be entertained puppets!

Stop whining, you "over the top Gopher fan" you!

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: 1/22 & 1/23

Stop whining, you "over the top Gopher fan" you!

I'm just trying to stay on the subject.


The fact that you are a bunch of whiney *****es and always have been has no bearing.

 

[Ice Bisquit]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: 1/22 & 1/23

I'd still not like the hit. I don't like either of the hits that resulted in suspensions. And that has nothing to do with the outcome of either.

There is no room for these types of hits in today's game. Especially at the amateur levels. We know much more about how head injuries impact future quality of life. It's just not worth it. Period IMO.

Agreed - further evidence that Eaves is out of touch with today's hockey is his reaction during the game and his appeal of the suspension.

 

[firstpusk]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: 1/22 & 1/23

I don't know if you played or not (my guess is no), but if you did, you know that a hit like that serves no hockey purpose. I have opportunities to blindside guys every time I play as they do me, but since it's no-check, we pass up those opportunities and simply poke away the puck and guess what, it works 99.9% of the time...

I agree it serves no hockey purpose. It is worse than that. When a player is headhunting, he is usually putting himself out of position and forgoing his responsibility. It is just such a stupid play far before we talk about penalties, suspensions and injuries.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: 1/22 & 1/23

I agree it serves no hockey purpose. It is worse than that. When a player is headhunting, he is usually putting himself out of position and forgoing his responsibility. It is just such a stupid play far before we talk about penalties, suspensions and injuries.

Absolutely as the hitter is likely to fall down too on such a play and the forward is likely to have teammates in support who can then pick up the puck and continue.

Backside pressure is a better hockey play (see Marian Hossa).


Or the poke check as I mentioned earlier. It's so dang easy to poke someone who doesn't see it coming.

 

[SteveO]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: 1/22 & 1/23

Open ice hits are part of the game and I don't see anything wrong with it as long as it is NOT directed to the head and neck region. I've never made a practice of it, but I put an open ice hit on an opposing player (puck carrier) directly into his chest at full speed a couple months ago and put him on his back. Sometimes you have to send that message and that's the way the game is played unless you play in a no-contact league. But hits to the neck and head region? Can't do it for reasons that have already been mentioned.

EDIT:

I wanted to add that Wittchow could have hit Novak in the chest and basically accomplished the same thing. He knows how to do it. My strong opinion is he maliciously hit the neck and head region with intent to injure. And guaranteed if its the AHL, Wittchow will be beaten to a pulp after that hit and he'll think twice about ever doing it again.

 

[Stauber1]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: 1/22 & 1/23

What it looked like post hit should not affect the analysis of the hit. Let's be honest with ourselves, we've all seen lesser hits with the same end result, and we've seen worse hits where guys just pop up, every hit is different....

Hogwash.

If you get pulled over and cited for doing 70mph down a residential street, you are facing a pretty hefty fine and possible ramifications affecting your driving privileges.

If you are going 70mph down a residential street and hit a little kid playing hide-and-seek who jumps out from between 2 parked cars, you're facing far greater criminal charges.

You are responsible for the consequences of your actions.

 

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: 1/22 & 1/23

And guaranteed if its the AHL, Wittchow will be beaten to a pulp after that hit and he'll think twice about ever doing it again.

This wasn't shown in most of the videos, but Seeler was about to cut out Wittchow's heart and eat it. The refs saved his life.

 

[burd]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: 1/22 & 1/23

And guaranteed if its the AHL, Wittchow will be beaten to a pulp after that hit and he'll think twice about ever doing it again.

You're saying there's more than an isolated example of that happening in the AHL?

 

[Ronnieb]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: 1/22 & 1/23

Good video. Watch the whole thing. particularly 3:00 in Shanny

http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=126071

 

[SteveO]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: 1/22 & 1/23

You're saying there's more than an isolated example of that happening in the AHL?

It happens, but not frequently because guys respect the code. There's a code of conduct, you violate the code you pay. AHL rule changes as of 2014-15 allow only 2 fights/game, more than that it's a game misconduct. So a lot guys will spend their 2 in the second and third period. Without a doubt, Wittchow would be hammered to the ice for what he did.

 

[Ronnieb]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: 1/22 & 1/23

Hogwash.

If you get pulled over and cited for doing 70mph down a residential street, you are facing a pretty hefty fine and possible ramifications affecting your driving privileges.

If you are going 70mph down a residential street and hit a little kid playing hide-and-seek who jumps out from between 2 parked cars, you're facing far greater criminal charges.

You are responsible for the consequences of your actions.

Yes, that's it. Age old theory of First year Pee wee playing up against second year bantams. Pee wee cruises through neutral zone, gets hammered by second year bantam. Parents go crazy and want second year bantam to go to jail

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: 1/22 & 1/23

#Gophers Tommy Novak skated on his own a little bit today and is back to his baseline for the concussion protocol testing.

Novak's next step is to practice without contact, will evaluate Fri whether he's ready to play, it's up to the training staff not coaches.

Lucia indicated that the trainer thinks when knocked out it's a quicker recovery, 'brain reboots,' rather than if conscious after impact.

Lucia is showing his players the video of the boarding, check from behind, and open ice hit to remind players to be accountable.

Lucia said It's up to the players to be respectful of the game and be respectful of your opponent.

Lucia: The hit that we saw on Novak is a hit that needs to be taken out of the game.

Lucia: The idea of hitting is to separate a player from a puck, it’s not to destroy somebody.

Lucia: If you’re a parent sitting in the stands, who wants to see their son get hit like that? That’s not what you play the game for.