Comments on: John Carlson avoids Shanahammer for head shot on Matt Cooke

By: matthewmacisaac

matthewmacisaac — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:14:26 +0000

The NBA has had preferential treatment for decades and seems to be prospering in spite of being a boring dunkfest that ESPN would call highlights. A 6’5″ (or taller) guy dunking isn’t impressive or entertaining. The speed and athleticism of hockey will sell (especially on HDTV). As far as the hit in the article, it should probably be at least looked at, but I don’t think the head was targeted. Carlson is just that much taller than Cooke and it looked as if Carlson’s shoulder is what actually made contact. He didn’t launch himself at Cooke’s head (as Cooke has done on a few occasions). I hope Shannahan does nothing (it would be nice to rid the NHL of douchenozzles like Cooke or Avery).

By: dipthatchip

dipthatchip — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 22:03:09 +0000

you do realize there is a ‘reply’ function, right?

By: dipthatchip

dipthatchip — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 22:00:02 +0000

you’ve got to be kidding dude. you pisspants need to get over the incidental Steckel-Crosby collision in the Winter Classic. Its not a player’s job to skate out of the way (Steckel) if someone else doesn’t have their head up (Crosby). Steckel didn’t put an emphasis into the ‘hit.’

Though I do agree Carlson’s hit should have gone to review, the recipient of the hit is exactly why it didn’t. After Cooke ended Savaard’s career and then continued to play as dirty as possible, no sympathy will ever been given to him, ever.

By: killerpgh

killerpgh — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 21:42:03 +0000

Rsl22,
What are these “several times” that ovechkin has been suspended?

By: sf49erguy

sf49erguy — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:31:41 +0000

bcjim you like the word goon huh? it’s hockey… neither hits should be penalized… Go Pens..

By: bcjim

bcjim — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:51:49 +0000

Someone tell Shannagoon to look at Semin getting his melon crushed by the goony Pens player in last nights game..Why no mention of that?

By: cshearing

cshearing — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:57:31 +0000

While I agree with the perception, thinking that this has to change before hockey is taken seriously in the US is ludicrous. All sports have legions of fans that feel certain other teams get preferential treatment. Do you not read comments on other sports’ web pages?

By: buffalotears

buffalotears — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:38:49 +0000

Looked like the elbows Crosbaby was throwing last week.

By: pastabelly

pastabelly — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:22:27 +0000

Cooke had it coming. Carlson should have gotten a one game rest for this and a thank you card from Marc Savard.

By: rsl22

rsl22 — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:20:22 +0000

ndrdog, you can’t seriously believe that a hit that went almost completely unnoticed, and wasn’t even mentioned on NHL on the Fly, is the reason the NHL isn’t the NFL. As for getting referential (sic) treatment, OV has been suspended several times, Semin get’s called for diving no matter if he gets cross-checked in the back or slew-footed, and in a span of two minutes last night, you could see Staal interfere with Erskine in a dangerous play away from the puck, and just after that OV get’s called for interference on a play for the puck.

Cooke is a dirty player, should have been suspended for kneeing OV last year, and definitely deserves more than what he got.

By: hague507

hague507 — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:56:15 +0000

If Cooke did it he would have been suspended and rightfully so. Cooke is well known as a dirty player with a history of suspensions, so yes the penalty for him would be worse. That’s just common sense.

By: ndrdog

ndrdog — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:50:44 +0000

This gives the appearance of the Capitals getting referential treatment from the league on hits like this (Dave Steckel) while some players getting hit (Cooke) also get a different set of rules. As long as this perception exists, hockey as a sport will never reach a level of success that it needs to succeed and prosper in the U.S. market.

By: govtminion

govtminion — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:46:20 +0000

I think that’s my big question as well- if Cooke had done this, he’d be in Shanahan’s office right now. If Carlson did it to Crosby, same thing. Did this get swept under the rug because of the victim’s previous nature? Or was there a real reason for Shanahan to ignore it?

By: abrienza428

abrienza428 — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:41:19 +0000

What happens if Cooke does this to Carlson? 10-15 game suspension?

Seriously, this makes the league look bad. While not nearly as bad as some have been, this is the hit they want to do away with. Be strict and consistent and it will go away. The recipient of the hit should have absolutely NO bearing.

By: hague507

hague507 — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:36:26 +0000

Considering how much the league is emphasizing the need to do away with head shots, they should have atleast braught Carlson in for a sitdown.

That said, I agree screw Cooke. The other defenseman should have kicked him as he was going down.

By: govtminion

govtminion — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:33:50 +0000

Hmmm… looks like he brought his elbow up to me. I don’t think it was intentional- just part of the reaction of hitting- but it did come up. Odd that there isn’t even a hearing, just a ‘no, no punishment’ and that’s it- seems like it should have been worth a good review at least.

I’m sure the comments are ready to roll in about how that’s because it was Cooke, Shanahan is out to get the Penguins, etc., but an unsafe play is an unsafe play, and for this not to even be reviewed in detail seems really strange- and out of character for Shanahan, based on what we’ve seen the past couple of months. I’d love to know more about why this decision was made.