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doublechamp7
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
278 Posts |
 Posted - 12/28/2010 : 16:40:44
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Another commanding win for the team canada juniors, they have inspired a lot more confidence in me than I had before. Although I am a bit worried about the injury/ suspension situation, any thoughts?
Henderson has scored for Canada
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spade632
Rookie
Canada
247 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2010 : 11:40:12
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I hope de haan isn't seriously injured.
Regarding the suspension:
For those who haven't seen the hit in question: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpAQu5y4oO0
Kassian got 2 games total (so he'll miss tonight agains Norway and Friday against Sweden).
Kassian is 6'3 - 225lbs and Senkerik is 6'0 - 189. Any hit isn't goint to work out well for Senkerik and he had his head down. Kassian had his shoulder down, elbow tucked in and was clearly not head hunting.
Still, by the IIHF rules it DOES look like a hit to the "head and neck area" as it seems to just barely catch Senkerik's chin. So, under the rules as they stand I can understand where the call came from but I think the extra game is unwarranted.
By comparison, two Slovaks got suspended for hits yesterday too (4 games for Marincin, 2 for Hrasko) and the IIHF's news post about it says both "deliberately targeted the head and neck area" and in the case of Hrasko's hit further said that he used his "elbow and upper arm to deliver the blow." There's no such description (or any addendum at all really) for Kassian's hit.
This shows the Hrasko hit > http://watch.tsn.ca/international-hockey/clip394353#clip394353 - I haven't found a clip of the Marincin hit though.
As an aside, the refs in the Canadian game missed a blatant cross check to the head of Louis Leblanc after he scored shorthanded that definitely should have been called. Not to mention the fact that there's no supplemental discipline for the spear by Martin Frk.
And, of course, it goes without saying that while it's great to see big, clean hits, you never want to see someone get injured. |
Edited by - spade632 on 12/29/2010 12:39:24 |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2010 : 12:38:38
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As Spade eluded to, this is IIHF rules not NHL rules. They are a lot more severe in their punishment of 'head shots.' It doesn't matter if it is predatory or not. Head shot, even accidental, is punished.
And frankly, this entire size vs size thing is getting so tired. Zdeno Chara is the tallest person in the history of the hockey and I do not recall a single hit that Chara has every laid that either a) led to a suspension, or b) injured his opponent.
Finally, wasn't Kassian suspended last season for a head shot?? 20 games for a hit in the OHL in Jan of 2010. It's not like this guy is known as a totally clean players. 13 fighting majors in 60 games in 08/09.
Don't want the time, don't do the crime. |
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Guest4178
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Posted - 12/29/2010 : 12:40:46
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Good points raised by Spade632. I think the suspension to Kassian (2 games) was appropriate. While it wasn't an overly predatory hit, he did catch Senkerik shoulder-to-chin a bit. I actually think Kassian was trying to avoid the hit to some extent, but not enough in this case. And it was a bit on the late side. (Emphasis on bit.)
I wonder if the IIHF officials looked at Kassian's past when considering the length of his suspension? It was about a year ago when Kassian demolished Matt Kennedy with a big hit in the OHL. Kassian was suspended 20 games for this hit, which was clearly predatory and dangerous.
It's worth noting that Kassian got into some trouble off the ice earlier this year, where he was arrested after getting into a bar brawl in May. I doubt this has any bearing on the recent 2-game suspension doled out, but it does reflect on his character somewhat. (At least to some people.) The assault charge was eventually dropped, after Kassian and his lawyers made a deal with the crown, whereby he paid a $500 fine, committed to 25 hours of community service, and made amends with the man he punched (by paying for his dental work). If Kassian was convicted of assault, it would have put his hockey career in jeopardy, and there's a chance he wouldn't be playing for Team Canada in the WJHC right now.
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spade632
Rookie
Canada
247 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2010 : 12:51:24
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Beans,
You are correct.
He got 20 games for this > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5E-aJFB3h8 < hit on Matt Kennedy of the Barrie Colts.
This has it in slow-motion > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0EK8rupQkw&feature=related
Very different hit though - He leaves his feet and almost takes off Kennedy's head with his shoulder - clearly predatory.
Edit: For the record, I'm not saying he should have gotten nothing for the play. As I said, under the IIHF rules there are definite grounds for the call. I'm just not sure that the extra game was warranted (especially when you compare it to Hrasko's hit -linked above or no supplemental discipline for Frk's spear).
Another one for comparison - Patrice Cormier on Mikael Tam. This happened around the same time as KAssian's hit on Kennedy. Cormier was ultimately suspended for the remainder of the season and the playoffs. This is BRUTAL and totally sickening. This kind of crap should NEVER happen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJgPgtsP1iY < Incidentally, Cormier played his first NHL game last night for the Thrashers. |
Edited by - spade632 on 12/29/2010 13:07:43 |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2010 : 13:13:05
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The IIHF agree that it should not happen either, hence there significantly more agressive program to deal with the issue. If the line is as black and white as possible it is easier for players to know to not cross the line. The IIHF does that by saying anything, predatory or not, even remotely close to the head or neck area is considered a penalty and subject to further discipline.
It seems that somewhere in the rock'em/sock'em generation people have forgotten what the purpose of a body check is. The body check is designed to separate the opponent from the puck, not the opponent from their own body parts.
IIHF gets this right and the NHL and other NA leagues would be well suited to follow the lead of the international hockey community on this one. |
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doublechamp7
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
278 Posts |
Posted - 12/30/2010 : 20:39:07
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Spade- that was a very scary hit by Cormier, it made the guy seizure. The Kassian hit was delt with well with 2 games, I think,
Henderson has scored for Canada |
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Another win for Canadian juniors 
