Comments on: Colorado wins in OT but Blues’ Tarasenko, Avs’ Hejduk leave game with injuries

By: polegojim

polegojim — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:19:37 +0000

I’d be good with it except for the head hit. Pure and simple – just can’t do it.

By: feedmetherock

feedmetherock — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:07:11 +0000

Clearly there was intent to do bodily damage. He led with his elbow/forearm. He really had no intent to play the puck at all. I would say that this is a dirty play and a prime example of why concussions are such a growing issue in the sport. Olver went for the kill shot, led with his forearm and caught Tarasenko in the head. If he would have stayed low and led with his shoulder, then I would say it is clean, but the fact that he lifted up and caught a defenseless player up high, I would say it is deserving of a suspension and a fine.

By: paperlions

paperlions — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 12:53:57 +0000

I’m not sure how anything good could have come from Olver’s play. If Tarasenko doesn’t turn toward him, then he’s hitting Tarasenko squarely in the numbers and driving him head-first into the boards….as he was, he hit him in the jaw from the blind side. No, he did throw an elbow up or leave his feet, but to approach with that kind of speed and angle is the basis for most dangerous plays along the boards.

By: jernster21

jernster21 — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 06:50:32 +0000

A good hockey hit in my opinion – the play was so fast there was no time for Olver to let up…if he turns the other way (into the hit) with the puck or up the boards to his D guy, the consequences are the same and Olver approaches the hit that way.

The problem with these hard hits is that the equipment is so “technologically advanced” (read: plastic) that if it hits your face/unpadded skin (shoulder pad on chin), it’s extremely intensified. Hopefully Tarasenko isn’t hurt too bad.