First off, sorry if I worried anybody yesterday. I had a horrible migraine that kind of sapped my will to write. And then I didn't get any sleep until around 7 AM this morning, most likely because I spent a decent amount of time yesterday in bed just hoping the pain would stop. It did eventually, but it took about five ibuprofen to finally beat it. And then I was all geared up to write about the Pacers rolling and how they are right on track according to Larry Bird's schedule, and how if somebody thinks they know something about basketball that Larry Legend doesn't, that somebody is probably wrong. But then Raffi Torres went and did this. And, well, that sort of hit is just downright dangerous and highly illegal. But, despite happening right in the face of an official, nothing was called. Hossa was motionless on the ice for what seemed like an eternity before eventually being immobilized on a stretcher and taken to the hospital. He was released later, but it was awfully scary for a while. Who knows when he will be back. Also not known when he will be back is Raffi Torres. Again, he got off Scot-free during the game, but he is now suspending indefinitely pending a hearing on Friday. The fact he was allowed to play the rest of that game, when you know the NHL has access to this sort of video technology is kind of appalling. You might have also heard that the Coyotes did win that game in overtime, in which Torres played an important role. I don't know how long Torres will be out, but if the hit below gets three games, then Torres should be out for the rest of the season. Maybe some of next season, too. Shaw did receive a penalty, and like I said, is suspended for three games. Smith, after making such a show out of being so damaged, didn't miss a second of game play. Here is what I don't understand. If Shaw had made that same hit to any other skater, it would have been a clean hit. But here is the goalie out messing around with the puck outside of his goal crease. What is Shaw supposed to do there? Just stand around and hope Smith is dumb enough to pass it where he's standing? It seems to me that, as long as the hit is otherwise clean, the goalie forfeits any special protection when he goes outside the crease. If you don't want to get hit with all your bigger, special padding, then don't go play the puck when the other team is bearing down on you..
In soccer, the goalie doesn't get to keep using his hands if he leaves the box. He becomes like any other player. In football, if the quarterback leaves the pocket, or if a punter decides to fake, he can be hit just like any other back or receiver. In baseball, if the catcher gets too far up the line, or takes more than his fair share of the plate, well, just look at Buster Posey last year. If you aren't in an area where you are afforded special protection, then you don't get that special protection. I don't understand why hockey goalies are the exception. Especially when they are clearly milking it. I mean, seriously, if he was really that injured, he couldn't at least take the rest of the period off? If you're going to fake it, at least put some effort into it. Blackhawks will try to get a measure of revenge tomorrow. Hopefully we'll be leaving Chicago the same way they left the desert: all tied up. Comments are closed.
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