Comments on: Shanahan calling: Red Wings’ Brendan Smith ejected after elbowing Chicago’s Ben Smith in head

By: nottheimpostergrizzlygriz

nottheimpostergrizzlygriz — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:52:04 +0000

He did not move out of the way at all, you friggin’ moron! Straight for the head.

By: chobes68

chobes68 — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:51:40 +0000

Brendan was still aiming high. That stuff happens when you attempt to check that high up on the body. He deserves what he gets.

By: polegojim

polegojim — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:02:58 +0000

@armwood98 – you’re welcome and very glad to help. Call on me anytime your experience or knowledge fall short of the topic at hand. I’ll be waiting.

By: polegojim

polegojim — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:56:19 +0000

@hystoracle – you’re not watching the same video I am. He started at the shoulder, even lower his to make sure, the Ben tried to duck him.

I understand the responsibility, but let’s not forget the speed of the game. They’re both flying up ice, Smith starts a legal check, Smith2 ducks/lowers his head.

The situation is ‘unfortunate’, but not Brendan Smiths deal either.

All that said, he may still get nailed due to the Crosby factoring. I have full trust in Shanahan, even if I may disagree with him on this one.

By: amwood98

amwood98 — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:20:17 +0000

polegojim – Sep 28, 2011 at 11:55 PM

Thank god for the internet or we would not get to hear from geniuses like you. I would ask you to spell/grammar check, but that really would not matter here. Your intelligence level is crystal clear regardless of your English.

Is it possible you got “cleanly” checked in the head too many times in pond hockey?

By: amwood98

amwood98 — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:19:24 +0000

polegojim – Sep 28, 2011 at 11:55 PM

Is it possible you get “cleanly” checked in the head too many times in pond hockey?

By: icelovinbrotha215

icelovinbrotha215 — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:06:12 +0000

Yea, I agree with you to a certain point. I do think that players do need to held accountable when it comes to keeping their heads up when to puck is on and/or around their sticks. Kids are now thinking they can just skate with their heads down. It’s not right.

By: hystoracle

hystoracle — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:06:17 +0000

The only way to stop the reckless hits is to put the blame where it lies – in the hitter’s hands. The hitter has control over where he hits the opponent and whether he hits him or not. Aim for the torso not the head. Video clearly shows he aimed for his head and made contact with only his head. Plus it is the lateral hit that was a penalty last year too.. This was a clear rule 48 infraction.

If you put the onus on the player getting hit, then you are punishing the wrong person. It is akin to blaming the Rape victim for how she dressed or the fact she went to dinner with the guy. She should have known better isn’t an acceptable excuse for committing the crime.

By: icelovinbrotha215

icelovinbrotha215 — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:21:00 +0000

Ehh. The problem was that Ben head was down. The new ruling has it that it’s Brendan’s responsibility to make no contact with the head. Is it fair to the checker? Nope. But this is what the NHL is trying to enforce and other hockey bodies (i.e. USA Hockey) are following suit. This is all thanks to Crosby getting hurt. Now all of a sudden the NHL cares about ‘shots to the head.’ This time last year, this was a cliff-note of an issue.

By: polegojim

polegojim — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 03:55:11 +0000

TOTAL overreaction. Ben got hit in the head because he tried to juke Brandon’s check. PERIOD.

That’s the type of situation that should NOTwarrant any further discipline. He shouldn’t even have been ejected. How can the defender possibily anticipate that? There was no intend to injure or go for the head, Brandon was lowering his shoulder to provide a perfectly legal hit.

Mr. Shanahan, here’s where we should not throw out the baby with the bathwater.