Comments on: Alex Ovechkin's 'apology'

By: Hockeyfan10

Hockeyfan10 — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:50:07 +0000

As far as Ovechkin goes, he does dirty hits throughout the season, and this one is no different. Of all the Capitals games I’ve watched, the refs are usually pretty easy on Ovechkin, and often make calls in favor of the Capitals. So complaining about a suspension is ridiculous-it was a long time coming. I agree that the refs are inconsistent, and the real problem is them not enforcing the rules.

By: Love for the game not the NHL

Love for the game not the NHL — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:04:23 +0000

Whether you agree or disagree with the suspension, the issue is not OV, or Cooke, or any other player out there. It's Colin Campbell and the NHL. The following is a great article that pretty much sums it up. INCONSISTENCY. http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=4998669

By: Mardam

Mardam — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:25:52 +0000

I DID play the game. In high school, college and the AHL. It’s a penalty. It was unnecessary. You don’t hit someone from behind (yes, the fact that you could read Cambell’s name and number doesn’t prove it wasn’t from behind. Sheesh who was that guy anyway?)after they’ve gotten rid of the puck. Finishing a check is taking someone into the boards or shouldering them off in the open ice, not pushing them from behind like that. He deserved it. And please let’s stop with the conspiracy theories about Sid the Kid or comparing it to something else. Makes you sound like 6yr olds.
I LOVE OV. But he is getting a rep, and not a good one. This hurts him in two ways. First, eventually he is going to tone down his game. That may be good because he won’t get suspended, but also bad. He does play on the edge, and needs that. There are ways to play like that and not put yourself in this position. But he likes to line guys up in the open ice too. And sooner or later, like once already this year, he’s going to miss by just a bit and stick that leg out. And next time he may blow someone’s knee out, or worse, his own.
And that leads me to the second way his rep will hurt him. Right now, opposition players shy away from trying to line him up in the open ice. Too much chance to miss and set up a good scoring chance for the Caps. But soon, if this continues, players will begin looking for him. They’ll begin to get the idea that it just might be worth the chance. And that’s no good for anyone, especially Ovechkin and the Caps.
This is getting to be a worrisome trend. Where there’s smoke….

By: TK

TK — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:10:31 +0000

Wow! Take your ritalin and relax! (And I highly doubt any GMs or owners are reading your rants – get over yourself already).

By: Big G from Texas

Big G from Texas — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:45:20 +0000

Rob Stupid… ComeOnMan!! Get real.. I am a fan of hockey and know that each and every night it takes at least 2 or more guys to control Alex the Great…
Yea, like some people that just don’t understand X’s and O’s in any sports, It is true Sid the kid has a Cup, and yes that is earned by a whole team, and he has a Gold Medal and yes that is earned by a whole country, enough said on Sids team awards.
The problem with what Sid the sissy doesn’t have is guts.. He is a clean up guy like Dino Sissyreally once was or St.Louis. Sid has great skating skills and flicking strenghts, but again, he will never have 2 or more players on him nightly and also will never win as many self earned awards in his lifetime.. Oh did I say Alex shares the puck to his team, that is why he will win another point trophy this year and he is a freaking Left Winger not a CENTER!! Give me a break ROB..
Hockey is a tough sport, just ask that goon we let go last year Matt Cooke, what a DONK, if it wasn’t for Cooke smashing guys and doing the dirty, Sid the sissy wouldn’t have as many goals as he has this year up until now.. BTW.. What happened to #71 Makin Bacon? I guess Sid the sissy is being fed the puck more then Malkin and when he isn’t hanging around the net to stuff the trash in..
Ovechkin is, I mean will be the next Ore/Hull/Gretsky, when it’s all said and done..
Sid will be like Tom Brady or Eli Manning crying to the Zebras, OV hit me, that’s not fair, Ovechkin sits and slides on his butt and scores goals, that’s not fair.. Ovechkin slaps the puck so hard that television tech cannot pick up his shot, that isn’t fair.. Get used to it..
Rob first of all!! Learn the freakin sport.. This $hi& feeds the sport of hockey and the whole league is affraid of Alex the Great..
Big G will also smash your a$$ if I was on the ice. LMAO.. So learn the game and understand what 260 pounds of a beast flying like a 747 down the ice will feel like if you are player that happens to get run over so you can be on SPorts Center highlights because you were next to OV..
ATTN: To all GM’s and owners out there that might also read this, if it wasn’t for Ovechkin or Sissy Boy Crosby fueling the need for Joe wannabe skater out there that knows everything about who is better that the next player and thus the Zebras and media wouldn’t feed this hype, the hockey league would be in the dump like it was before and after the stike. BORING!!!!! Losing money daily..

By: Juan

Juan — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:17:04 +0000

I’ve seen this same type of play happen many dozens of times & a penalty is not called 99% of them.I personally think this type of play is a penalty,a 2 minute one,NOT a Suspension of any type.When you compare it to Cooke’s hit or any of the other headshot’s that didn’t even merit a penalty in the NHL’s eyes, it’s absurd to issue this suspension. Let’s face facts, the ref’s all call the game differently & turn a blind eye to many flagrant violations,I.E. Holstrom in the crease,that horrible goal against the Pens where the player knocked Fluery’s glove down with his stick on a routine shot that counted for a goal,any on the many blindside headshots. I like the Hawks & it sucks that Campbell is out for the regular season.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:29:58 +0000

Please do the world a favor and don’t breed. You sound like a typical, bitter Caps fan who is going to piss and moan again this spring when the Cap players are golfing instead of playing for the cup.

By: Eddie

Eddie — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:07:19 +0000

yes, he flew in from above and the fact that you can see part of his jersey is proof.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:37:59 +0000

What does sid have to do with anything. I am a Pens fan and didn’t see where Sid had a commentary on Ovechkin’s hit. I think that the league has to crack down on the cheap /dirty hits that are happening. The league missed the mark when they didn’t suspend Matt Cooke for his hit on Savard and the Downe hit on Crosby also should have resulted in a suspension. I realize hitting is part of the game, but flagrant, cheap hits have no place in the NHL.

By: Bobby

Bobby — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:03:24 +0000

"The debates about blindside hits, hits the head or even slew-foots have no bearing in this situation; hits from behind and into the boards always have been and always will be punished, at every level of hockey." Really? Then how come David Koce wasn't suspended for this hit on Mike Green earlier this season? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8hR5UQltaM&feature=PlayList&p=1658AB2EFD4EBE7B&index=95

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:01:53 +0000

The hit Ovi made on Campbell would not have been a penalty if he didn’t have two suspensions this season and should have had another for the hit on Gonchar in the playoffs last spring.
Any deliberate attept to injure should be an automatic suspension.
Cooke should have received a 10 game suspension for head hunting and the Downe hit on Crosby should have received a game misconduct and a suspension.
The Caps are so far ahead in the weak a$$ Atlantic Division that the two games Ovi got can be a vacation.

By: Atgame

Atgame — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:55:32 +0000

I was at the game, saw the play live. It was dirty and inexcusable.
Now the Blackhawks lose their star defenseman for the rest of the
season because of that knucklehead. The penalty should be the same for him, out for the rest of the season. Maybe that will make him think twice about those kind of plays in the future.

By: Atgame

Atgame — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:53:59 +0000

By: TK

TK — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:44:08 +0000

C’mon, bud, let’s try to make some sense here. Crying about Sid in my first post? In my one and only post (before this one) regarding this article the only “crying” I did was to question what the article had to do with Sid. Adam, you need to get your readin’ straight before you attempt to take someone to task here. (Oh, and Retention Deficit Disorder? Blunder? Or attempt at humor? Either way, it made me laugh a bit. Good job.)

By: SteelCityChamps

SteelCityChamps — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:43:47 +0000

Ovechkin could be an extra in the remake of Quest For Fire and not use make up. The dude is a cheapshot artist always will be.That’s ok because karma is a bitch.

By: Wangedwing

Wangedwing — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:36:57 +0000

yet Ovehckin was suspended for something that happens countless times a game, and was no more reckless or dangerous then a full on open ice hit.
Thats StakeX’s opinion. doesn’t matter bro, it was still illegal, read the rule book..I agree with you on Cooke, and don’t know what he wasn’t suspended, or why a penalty wasn’t assessed, but, I know Ovi’s hit was indeed illegal. I don’t think he intended to injure, and thats not really the point..no matter how you slice it, if your on the ice, and the guy behind you gives you a shove, there is a distinct possibility that you’ll lose control and fall, your on ice for crying outloud. It happens..the rule is the rule..doesn’ tmatter, who, doesn’t matter what..the rule is the rule. Dont complain about them calling it on Ovi..bitch about them not calling it on others..lets get them consistant!

By: Somethings Bruin

Somethings Bruin — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:29:33 +0000

As an (unenviable) Bruins fan I have watched with dismay over the lack of these types of punishments. It’s about time they get tougher with these goons like Cooke who’s clear intent to injure with a blindside hit to the head caused a grade 2 concussion to Savard, he should have been arrested, never mind suspended. And there’s the thug Randy Jones who all but ruined a young Patrice Bergeron’s brilliant career with a blindsided hit from behind into the boards. And of course Ulf Samuelsson’s cheap shot that ended one of the premier power forwards Cam Neely’s career.
The fact that it’s a rough sport has always been a draw (especially to an Original 6 fan like me), but it’s a damn shame when someone too stupid to realise the consequences pulls something like this. 2 games – good bye and good riddance.

By: Wingnut

Wingnut — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:28:01 +0000

Sid is still a whinny turd.

By: Wangedwing

Wangedwing — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:27:00 +0000

actually…Ovi did say he didn’t agree with the call, his teamates said much the same…I play hockey..the hit was at least dangerous, and as we found out, injurious. Hockey is a rough and tumble sport..but let me ask you a question, lets say they never call a hit like that again..and all the teams institute that style of play..you gonna watch it? Because, if this is any indication…we won’t have many players left..it’ll be nothing but goons.

By: stakeX

stakeX — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:25:05 +0000

Why can’t you believe people don’t understand why Ovechkin was suspended? Matt Cooke goes out of his way to intentionally try and hurt someone, like he has done countless times in his career and there was no suspension, yet Ovehckin was suspended for something that happens countless times a game, and was no more reckless or dangerous then a full on open ice hit. If Campbell didn’t lose an edge as he attempted to turn away from the push, there would have been no issue at all. It really wasn’t even a dangerous play…. it was an unfortunate play. Yet the league will allow you to head-hunt people? Awesome…..
And dont say “Matt Cooke’s hit was legal” becuase thats simply bull. Intent to injur is in the rule book, and is more then suspendable… especially for a repeat offender. Colin Campbell just left his balls at home this week I guess… on both occasions. Didn’t have the balls to suspend a Penguins player (CC loves Pittsburg as we all know) who deliberatly ended a player season, yet buckled to the Chicago crys for a suspension. Such a shame NHL fans have to deal with this.

By: H25

H25 — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:04:30 +0000

Don’t worry about Cooke. They are playing Boston on Thurday and if they have any backbone they will ignore the fact officials from the league office are coming to the game to warn both teams about retribution and kick the crap out of him.

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:02:17 +0000

I am not an avid Hockey Fan; That said I thoroughly enjoyed the way it is played at the Olympics — I don’t enjoy the way it is played in the NHL

By: Adam

Adam — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:57:13 +0000

Do you have a retention deficit disorder? You were the one crying about Sid in you’re first post. AO is a gifted goal scorer who can shoot and is lighting fast. Aside from that, he’s dangerous to be on the ice with and the rest of his skills are average. Back check, faceoffs, please…

By: hockey fan

hockey fan — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:51:39 +0000

Maybe he should’ve gotten suspended – for A game. Two games I think is a harsh. Let’s take a look at Matt Cooke and what an amazing job he did a possibly ending the season for Savard. No suspension, no penalty. The NHL is picking and choosing…the rules need to be a little more uniform if they’re going to start pulling the players’ safety card. Ovechkin is known for the hard hits, we all know that…but the NHL is trying to make a bullshit example out of him and it’s ridiculous. If the incident with Cooke and Savard hadn’t just happened with the result of NOTHING happening to Cooke, this might not be as objected by a lot of people. March 18…let’s go Boston!

By: Rob Selby

Rob Selby — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:43:11 +0000

Oooo. Now, I’m getting scared. The Sabres fan is talking trash..
…HA!HA!HA!
Even the Caps are higher up on the pole than you chumps.

By: Millsie#1

Millsie#1 — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:22:41 +0000

hehe, when my sabres tear through the pens and caps on their way to the cup then we can settle this OV , Sid crap… screw em and send em home!

By: geezstring

geezstring — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:15:43 +0000

I totally disagree. I do not believe the hit was wrong – there are a lot worse plays than this one that happen all the time. Yes, intentionally slamming someone into the boards while they cannot see you is one thing – this was not that situation. And I can agree that NO ONE should take an action where someone can get hurt but if you look at the severity of the check O put on Campbell – I don’t see any intend or disregard for the safety of the player. I do agree that penalizing players for being involved in these kinds of plays – makes some sense but I do not believe that this particular hit was one that required a suspension at all.

By: uofmcasey

uofmcasey — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:00:29 +0000

I never liked the guy to begin with, but ever since he laid his stick on the ice and rubbed his hands over it and now this, NO RESPECT; he’s a skank.

By: Rob Selby

Rob Selby — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:59:38 +0000

Go suck your own @$$, you sack of pus. You are a retard

By: Quisp

Quisp — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:58:41 +0000

Ah, the old “if you played hockey at all” defense. Well, I’m sure there’s no shortage of folks who will take offense at that. For myself, I have played hockey for the last forty years, including several hundred games in AA/AAA youth hockey, with several players who went on to have long NHL careers, Olympic medals, NCAA championships, etc.. My coach for several of those seasons was more than once an All-American defenseman at Michigan State, and I can still remember him beating into us that checking from behind, even shoving or pushing, was extremely dangerous and unsportsmanlike, not to mention the fact that if injury resulted (in USA hockey, kids hockey, I mean) you could potentially be expelled from the league. It has always be so, for kids and in the pros, and it used to be that every so often someone would get hurt as a result of such a play, and we would all hear talk about increasing the severity of the penalty — just like now, only the incidents happened once a year, or less, instead of every day.
As a grown-up, playing in beer leagues, I see chuckleheads (in a no-check league mind you) thinking that shoving someone from behind is totally cool. Fortunately, most of them are such poor skaters that they can’t do too much damage. but those of us who can skate and who are strong enough know how dangerous it would be to shove a player into the boards in a situation like the AO/BC check.