A decision on whether Alex Ovechkin is suspended because of
yesterday’s hit will come down within hours, as Alex Ovechkin is
currently in a hearing with Colin Campbell, the NHL’s dean of
punishments.
Whether he deserves a suspension is the subject of
intense debate right now, as it seems the mitigating factor has to do
with Brian Campbell’s potentially season-ending injury. It seems that
the NHL had originally decided not to suspend Ovechkin but has possibly
changed it’s mind after the news of Campbell’s injury came out this
morning. That the severity of the injury should affect the punishment is
one I cannot agree with, but it’s certainly a factor in Colin
Campbell’s decision-making.
Here are some of the highlights of the Twitter debate waging as
we speak, from some of the best hockey writers around, after the jump.
I will be
surprised if Ovechkin is not suspended for a couple of games. Campbell’s
injury is the big factor now.As for whether
injury should be a factor, debate it all day, but it is a primary
consideration. In life, as well as the NHL.Pick your example:
DUI, lose ur license. Injure somone while DUI, maybe jail. Bar fight?
Simple assault. Injure someone badly. All bets off.Suspending b/c of
aftermath=horrible.@TSNBobMcKenzie
We’re really bringing “real world”
criminal examples into a sport that features simple assaults every
night, Bob?Elliote Friedman: ough day for NHL
– Savard injury is more serious than Campbell’s, but league can’t say
there’s nothing in rules about hitting from behind.Doesn’t help that
this involves Pittsburgh (Cooke) and Washington. Two teams are very
sensitive about how each other is treated.NHL had no plans
to suspend Ovechkin on Sunday. If they’ve changed their minds now, Caps
should appeal.Blackhawks are
obviously squawking to the league over Campbell injury. They may get
their way. Some teams have more pull, I guess.This is the new
NHL “code.” No matter what, scream for the other guy to get suspended.
It just might happen.I feel for Colie
Campbell. It’s an impossible job. But without a set of parameters, it
looks like making it up as they go along.
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- john galt - Mar 15, 2010 at 2:40 PM
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These lame brains that hit from behind should be forced to take physics classes during their suspensions. It is obvious that they are studying cartoons on those long plane rides and it has given them a sense that, like the Looney Tunes Coyote, hockey players can be driven face first into an immovable object at high speed and just bounce right up and keep on playing like nothing happened.
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- Richard Hobbs - Mar 15, 2010 at 2:45 PM
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I watched the hit and it looks worse if you don’t like the style of ovechkins play . he’s a bit of pest and cheap shot artist for such a skilled player .If you like the guy you are outraged. I find that elite players in any sport should take pains to avoid the kind of scrutiny that goes along with making poor decisions . Big Ben is an example of poor judgenment so is Plaxico so is Vick , so is bertuzzi for the same reason as ovechkin, what makes it more tragic is that tehse guys don’t need to do it .
I also don’t beleive the speed of the game issue, or the playing hard at the game issue, or the we have to define the rules so guys know what a hit is issue that evryone hides behind when the know they are offside .
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- Fecteau - Mar 15, 2010 at 2:48 PM
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Rob Selby,
You’re really going to bring up the Gold Medal? I’ve never seen anyone say, hey, look at us Penguins fans, we had a guy on the Gold medal team. Yeah, so did 15-16 other NHL teams!!!! you idolize a guy who can’t even keep track of his sporting equipment. And we Caps fans are the retards?… Let me ask you this, do you like turtles???
You mustn’t have seen my earlier comment. Or you chose to ignore it… (probably the latter)
You know, everyone was ready for Crosby to bring home the gold. He chipped in one goal in the entire Olympics; it just so happened to be an important one. You know Iginla and Nash were the real stars on that team the entire Olympics so you might want to hush up on that…
Crosby has a Cup? I figured he didn’t have the neccessary tools to wear a cup… The sissy. I’m sure if Ovechkin had the babying that Crosby has has with Lemieux he’d have 8 Cups already (see, I have to talk illogically to these Pens fans, as Ovi’s only been in the league 5 years!)
Oh, and its fine, (I guess) to look strictly at the past to figure out what’s presently going on, but just so I know, how many wins do the Penguins have in the two games against the Caps this year??? (here’s a hint, it stars with a z and end in a ERO! I know, I was at game two in DC, where y’all took a lead and Ovi came back with a hat trick!) I’m sure everyone has been so impressed that the Pens barely beat the Caps last year and they had some pretty solid rental players, but lets see how that turns out for you this year.
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- talontbo - Mar 15, 2010 at 2:49 PM
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Also, just to add this last bit.
For those donkeys that keep insisting Ovi’s hands were on Campbell’s back.
This is a flat out distortion.
Ovi’s hands were in fact tuck into Campbells left side and under the arm. This actually appears to have help roll Campbell over and prevent him from going head first. Ovi never actaully makes a direct pushing motion.
Campbell also looks as though he LIFTED his right skate allowing his weight to be shifted without support and this looks more like the true cause of the crash.
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- Fecteau - Mar 15, 2010 at 2:53 PM
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Tony, it might be also a team stance too. Those Pens have been in the final for two years, and the Caps are just the team to beat up on in the East. See all notes above… Most hockey fans are thowing Ovi to the wolves here…
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- jigelow - Mar 15, 2010 at 2:55 PM
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Full disclosure: I’m a Hawks fan.
Ovechkin is a passionate player. Define that as you will. I see him as someone who is on the ice, and isn’t thinking of maliciously injuring people, but he will hit people to make them hurt. Make them remember he’s coming. His hit on Campbell was a cheap shot. But I don’t see it as malicious. He knew what part of the ice they were on, he knew Campbell was showing his back. He wasn’t trying to put Campbell out, but he did want to put him in the boards. Unfortunately, since both skaters are quite fast, any pressure is greatly exaggerated. I would’ve liked to seen him play yesterday. I think he’s an amazing player. I like that he plays physical. I just see some of his behaviour similar to a toddler that gets to riled up and starts hitting his mates.
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- Fred - Mar 15, 2010 at 3:19 PM
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Hmm, how about that shoulder in the back giving a pushing/shoving motion towards the boards from many feet out:
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/comment/11/2010/03/cf2fcd95379dae724dc2c99a8431f85b/original.jpg
It tis a boarding penalty regardless of hit or push. It tis a dangerous play, that Ovie had enough time to not make.
Bottom line, no reason for Ovie to make that play, but I think the correct penalties were called by the zebras, and quite frankly I do not think Ovie will be suspened. But still not reason for him to have made that play.
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- Brandon Worley - Mar 15, 2010 at 3:22 PM
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I love how you guys keep using the Gawker pic, here on PHT, where that picture originated.
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/assets_c/2010/03/hit%20from%20behind-7203.php
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- Tony - Mar 15, 2010 at 3:24 PM
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I think that’s a very fair assessment. As a caps fan, I really don’t like it when Ovie makes plays like this. Boarding call yes, suspension no.
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- cc - Mar 15, 2010 at 3:52 PM
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shocker, of course you would think that, you are a hawk fan, too bad your sorry as team blew a 3-0 lead and the caps won anyway
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- Ras - Mar 15, 2010 at 4:11 PM
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LOL Crosby is the definition of Cherry Picker.
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- talontbo - Mar 15, 2010 at 4:14 PM
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http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/assets_c/2010/03/hit%20from%20behind-7203.php
The angle of this picture distorts what really happened. It also fails to show the location of Ovi’s hands. Which are NOT ON THE BACK, but are in fact holding his stick and are up under Capmbells left arm.
Rotate the ANGLE 15 degree counter clockwise and you could make a case the Ovi was trying to get some nooky…
NHL.com has the video, in regular speed and slow motion, from the corner.
If you can’t honestly view the video, render a clear opinion and come away either for or against the severity of then I guess you need distorted screen caps.
Campbell was engaged before the Goal Line, the check was finished 4-5 feet from the boards.
At the moment Ovi engaged Campbell, Campbells right knees appears to buckle or he in facts lifts his right skate. No way could he hold his line without outside skate support. He keeps his skate down, then it is simply a rubout along the end boards and no harm no foul.
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- wowo21 - Mar 15, 2010 at 4:30 PM
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Bottom line is he deserved the penatly and possibly a two game suspension. It wasn’t intentional but Ovi has a history of just doing stupid things. As a long time Caps fan I have to admit it. And for all you Pens fans, how can you compare Cindy Crosby to Ovi??? Both good players but Ovi is by far the most complete of the two.
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- djsbadger - Mar 15, 2010 at 4:52 PM
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So the picture actually distorts where the hit came from? It appears there are a lot of idiot CAP fans for which Ovie can do no wrong. Maybe one of you geniuses can explain the distortion of the puck not even in the picture frame. Last time I checked, you can’t check players without the puck, and the pass was made well before the hit which is one of the reasons Cambell was not ready for it.
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- CAPSFAN - Mar 15, 2010 at 5:01 PM
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Ovi’s hit was not dirty it was a typical hustle play like Ovi makes all of time. The fact is for the other players injuries to determine whether or not there will be a suspension or the length of that suspension is pure garbage. The NHL has been ranting for years about these types of hits and vicious blue line hits and fighting but nothing has ever been done. Now you have a superstar player who was attempting to make the same kind of play he makes every night and now the NHL is trying to sacrifice the Capitals post season. If you truly want to address these types of hits come up with a clear and concise penalty and punishment policy and advise the players on what type of hits the officals and league are going to be considering for punishment. The NFL is one of the most worthless leagues when it comes to this type stuff, football is an inherently violent sport and they fine and punish their players for simply playing the game hard. Hockey is better than football in my opinion but it is physical as well and the league is full of hard hitters and I don’t want to see the NHL go the route of the NFL and fine and suspend their players just for playing the game hard.
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- Anonymous - Mar 15, 2010 at 5:06 PM
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Where is the puck? Simple enough question, yet its not even visible in the picture.
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- talontbo - Mar 15, 2010 at 5:16 PM
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Hey djsbadger
Your one of those Forum Posters that just refuses to watch video replays aren’t you.
The time clock is in the video.
Ovi begins lining up the check while Campbell has the puck. As Ovi comes in, Campbell drops the puck back to his right and into the boards. Less than 1 second later Ovi is engaged. LESS THAN 1 SECOND. Initiating a check is completely legal in this case.
The NHL SUSPENDS FOR 2 GAMES Ovi not because they think Ovi was wrong, but simply to placate Chicago. Which by the way, is my favorite team in the West. I would dearly love to see Chicago and Washington in the Finals… its a WIN WIN for me.
It is quite obvious we have very few objective Hockey Fans posting here.
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- Fred - Mar 15, 2010 at 5:57 PM
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how about this shots which are from the side angle along the goal line (and in order of play development):
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/2223/62552821.jpg
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/5891/61372534.jpg
http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/3723/94541962.jpg
http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/6683/35612193.jpg
perhaps that skate buckled from the shove….
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- Sav - Mar 15, 2010 at 6:28 PM
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Good to know Damien Cox feel for Colin Campbell.
Not Brian Campbell who has a broken clavicle and ribs and is done for the year, but that Colin has it bad.
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- RedBO - Mar 15, 2010 at 6:34 PM
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Ovechkin didn’t start playing hockey two weeks ago. He knows as well as any other seasoned player what happens when you push someone in that position. It’s a well known fact that this is the usual result when you’re that vulnerable. Ovechkin’s style is dirty on and off the ice. It is proven and documented on both sides. He feels that because he is such a huge talent, he is without rules. Most russian athletes carry this attitude (plushenko’s platinum medal!)because they are trained to be that way. It’s just unfortunate that a certain few come to the U.S. and won’t conform to our organized rules. Make an example of him and hopefully make him think twice about putting someone’s career in jeopardy by compromising his.
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- RedBO - Mar 15, 2010 at 6:46 PM
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Ovechkin didn’t start playing hockey two weeks ago. He knows as well as any other seasoned player what happens when you push someone in that position. It’s a well known fact that this is the usual result when you’re that vulnerable. Ovechkin’s style is dirty on and off the ice. It is proven and documented on both sides. He feels that because he is such a huge talent, he is without rules. Most russian athletes carry this attitude (plushenko’s platinum medal!)because they are trained to be that way. It’s just unfortunate that a certain few come to the U.S. and won’t conform to our organized rules. Make an example of him and hopefully make him think twice about putting someone’s career in jeopardy by compromising his.
