The hockey news have recently started to feel more and more like a police report of some serial abuser. Is this a sign of rising tempers on the ice or just a mere reflection of the current world and its increasing focus on peeking into nasty incidents and filth? If the first theory is true, we'll be seeing a lot of Mr. Shanahan on the video clips to come. If the latter, well I guess it's time to look in the mirror and ask what are we relly looking for in the coverage of our favorite sport.
I'll chip in by producing another article on the violent topic. I'll try to inject some sense within the gallery of gore.
I'll try to avoid the Sidney Crosby threshold here, otherwise I'd have to write about every bump that happens in the game. Instead, I'll focus on some of the recent serious incidents on the rinks around NHL.
Let's start with fellow Finn Ville Leino of the Buffalo Sabres. I knew the guy was extremely talented, but his nasty elbow on the head of Flyers rookie sensation Matt Read was in its viciousness a tribute to superhuman limb coordination. Leino used his left knee to knock Read's stick up, his right foot to kick the puck to himself and delivered a "no-look elbow" straight to the head of the unsuspecting rookie. All this in a fragment of a second, with perfect coordination. One game suspension is light and likely mostly so because Shanahan, regardless of his unquestionable merits on ice, couldn't have pulled that off himself and thus writes it off as an reckless accident. Hopefully Read didn't get any damage on the play and Leino vents his frustration of unproductiveness on other levels of play in the future.
Moving then to a distinguished bad boy Krys Barch. On his first game as a Florida Panther, he managed to destroy Boston's Daniel Paille on a thunderous hit near the boards. Paille spent four games on the press box after vicious headshot in February. Conspiracy theorists should all already connect the dots on the fact that the victim on Paille's check was Raymond Sawada, then a teammate of Krys Barch in Dallas. Barch hasn't yet received a suspension on the hit, but Paille is very likely out with a concussion. To make matters worse for Daniel Paille, he just returned from some time off the roster after stopping a slap shot with his nose. The ratio of buck for pain is definitely getting worse for him. Tough guys..
On the same night, Edmonton Oilers' Andy Sutton jumped off the ice to smash Carolina's Alexei Ponikarovsky's head on the boards. That's a 245lbs of mean meat aimed directly at someone's head. He's been suspended a few times in the past for irresponsible hits on ice and this is just getting ridiculous. Ponikarovsky is a big guy himself and there's no info on his status, but I find it very unlikely that he'll be able to play for a while. Sutton on the other hand is suspended indefinitely and will likely be looking at some extended time on the stationary bike and gym. Definitely not on the ice for a while.
And to cap the night of irresponsibility, Colorado's fourth liner Kevin Porter's knee-on-knee hit destroyed David Booth's dreams of starting to click in the Vancouver Canucks' lineup. Booth is out for at least a month with knee injury and Porter sits out the next four games as reminder.
On a week where we already saw Nashville Predators' Jordin Tootoo get suspended for trying to re-concuss Buffalo's star goalie Ryan Miller and Dallas Stars' Mark Fistric get three games ban for jumping off the ice to knock Islanders' Nino Niederreiter out with concussion, this recent burst of violent incidents just seems to underline the dangers of this game.
But in the end, has anything changed? Ice hockey is, and will always be, a rough sport. The players know it and the fans expect it. The players are professionals and practice every day to be able to navigate the hazards on ice. You can't take the physicality off the game without changing the whole sport. Everyone knows that.
The league is working hard on limiting the number of severe injuries, especially on the head area. But at the same time these get picked up to the headlines way easier than before and thus portray the picture of ice hockey as more violent than ever. I wonder will this new focus on injuries subconsciously also program some of the game's loose cannons to aim for the spotlight? There must be a sociopath or two out there who'd like to steal the headlines for a day or two on the sports coverage, right?
Showing posts with label headshot. Show all posts
Showing posts with label headshot. Show all posts
2011/12/09
2011/10/20
Return of the King
Okay, "the King" might be pushing it, but Sidney Crosby is undeniably one of the most talented guys ever to lace up the skates. This is a short analysis on his comeback from a long absence due to concussion from last season.
The number of severe concussions in NHL seem to have increased in the past seasons. Maybe it's the fact that the game is now faster than ever and high-speed collisions have devastating effects. Maybe it's the instigator rule, that penalizes quite heavily on starting the brawls on the ice and thus making it less appealing to take matters in players' own hands after heavy hits on the most important players. Maybe it's just that the topic of concussions has become very popular in the gossipy sports journalism? Maybe we just have started to care more about player's health after some disturbing incidents and careers that have been cut off mid flight. Whatever the reason, concussion discussion is on, with high volume.
Sid the Kid has been cleared for contact practice. He must be torn apart with emotions. On the other hand he has to be afraid of the symptoms returning after receiving another hard hit. Then again, he was on top of the pedestal, the poster boy of hockey, the leading player in the league, and must hate having a white helmet for contact warning in practice and not being able to play the game he loves. The salary keeps rolling in even if he's not on the ice for games. The kid is a multimillionaire for the rest of his life. But that isn't the driving force. It is achieving immortality in the history of hockey by being the best of an era.
Well, young Mr. Crosby and his position among hockey's greatest is probably one of the most discussed topic in the hockey online boards. There's fans and haters, both equally emotional. But merely the fact that this much heated debate exists around him is a testament to the fact that he is a special talent. And everyone, who follows the game, should welcome Sidney Crosby back to the rinks with open arms.
But then, the prognosis. What will happen when he actually returns. The pressure is high now with the clearance from doctors, and Pittsburgh Penguins management has to eventually make the decision to let him loose. Will there be some unspoken league wide agreement to respect his return and let him accommodate to the game or will there be some loose cannons on the ice, aiming to crush him just to make a permanent dent in the Penguins' future. This way or that, given the time and avoiding further setback, Sidney Crosby will start to deliver in the offensive columns. Penguins will take a giant leap forwards and become the team to beat for the championship. After Crosby gets all cylinders pumping, he needs to be taken under special surveillance and constant harassment by the opposition. Hard hits will follow.
I'm eagerly waiting for Crosby's return, but also have a healthy dose of scepticism on his ability to remain healthy under the growing pressure. I hope he can avoid Marc Savard's destiny of losing the enge of his game due to constantly having to look over his shoulders and keep out of trouble, while at the same time diverting from the finely tuned optimal tracks in his game and perhaps opening the door for even bigger disasters in the form of physical contact. I hope he can return to his full potential and help the whole league take a step up in the competitive levels just to not let him dominate too much. Then it's up to the other star players in the league to overthrow the King from his throne. With talent, not with violence.
The number of severe concussions in NHL seem to have increased in the past seasons. Maybe it's the fact that the game is now faster than ever and high-speed collisions have devastating effects. Maybe it's the instigator rule, that penalizes quite heavily on starting the brawls on the ice and thus making it less appealing to take matters in players' own hands after heavy hits on the most important players. Maybe it's just that the topic of concussions has become very popular in the gossipy sports journalism? Maybe we just have started to care more about player's health after some disturbing incidents and careers that have been cut off mid flight. Whatever the reason, concussion discussion is on, with high volume.
Sid the Kid has been cleared for contact practice. He must be torn apart with emotions. On the other hand he has to be afraid of the symptoms returning after receiving another hard hit. Then again, he was on top of the pedestal, the poster boy of hockey, the leading player in the league, and must hate having a white helmet for contact warning in practice and not being able to play the game he loves. The salary keeps rolling in even if he's not on the ice for games. The kid is a multimillionaire for the rest of his life. But that isn't the driving force. It is achieving immortality in the history of hockey by being the best of an era.
Well, young Mr. Crosby and his position among hockey's greatest is probably one of the most discussed topic in the hockey online boards. There's fans and haters, both equally emotional. But merely the fact that this much heated debate exists around him is a testament to the fact that he is a special talent. And everyone, who follows the game, should welcome Sidney Crosby back to the rinks with open arms.
But then, the prognosis. What will happen when he actually returns. The pressure is high now with the clearance from doctors, and Pittsburgh Penguins management has to eventually make the decision to let him loose. Will there be some unspoken league wide agreement to respect his return and let him accommodate to the game or will there be some loose cannons on the ice, aiming to crush him just to make a permanent dent in the Penguins' future. This way or that, given the time and avoiding further setback, Sidney Crosby will start to deliver in the offensive columns. Penguins will take a giant leap forwards and become the team to beat for the championship. After Crosby gets all cylinders pumping, he needs to be taken under special surveillance and constant harassment by the opposition. Hard hits will follow.
I'm eagerly waiting for Crosby's return, but also have a healthy dose of scepticism on his ability to remain healthy under the growing pressure. I hope he can avoid Marc Savard's destiny of losing the enge of his game due to constantly having to look over his shoulders and keep out of trouble, while at the same time diverting from the finely tuned optimal tracks in his game and perhaps opening the door for even bigger disasters in the form of physical contact. I hope he can return to his full potential and help the whole league take a step up in the competitive levels just to not let him dominate too much. Then it's up to the other star players in the league to overthrow the King from his throne. With talent, not with violence.
2010/03/11
Happiness is a headshot
The title is ripped off from my old friends old army paratrooper t-shirt. Rather provocative in its original spot, but also pretty fitting in today's NHL. The topic of course being one of this season's hottest, headshots. Cases Cooke vs. Savard, Richards vs. Booth being among the worst (and cleanest, with surgical precision) in hockey history.
Whether you call it a dirty, blindside or just plain irresponsible, the defence always bases its arguments on the legality of those within current NHL rulebook. NHL teams' general managers are discussing over the topic, comissinary has his say, some committees gather to ponder about it and whatnot. It must be a more complicated question than "is it okay to cause intentional, potentially permanent, injury to other players within the written rules?".
It definitely is tough to draw the line. Let's put clear headshots aside for a while. There are check from behind, tripping near the boards, knee-on-knee collisions, irresponsible stick cuts and even the occasional freak skate blade in the air tumbling-overs. All of these end seasons and careers. Some are fully intentional, part of the game's physicality. Some are unfortunate accidents. What then constitutes for the suspension or fine. Who else than the player under jurisdiction can say for sure whether it was vicious or just unfortunate? Not the easiest job for the leagua disciplinarian, Mr. Campbell.
From my point of view it all boils down to the spirit of this sport as an entertainment. Spectators want blood, sweat and tears. Owners want spectators. Coaches want to keep their jobs and require the players to finish their checks without hesitation. Players are indeed 100 kilo bodies flying across the ice for 30kmph. Collisions happen, accidents happen. And the guys are paid millions to suck it up and just suffer through the pain. Old school hockey experts practically all defend the violent hits as part of the "tough guys' tough game". Critics see brutality, inhumanity in action. Again, opinions vary a lot. It is just a matter of time when we see the first paralyzed or dead player laying on the highest level of pro hockey. Is it the chance we have to take and price we have to pay to keep the game alive?
I'd definitely like to hear the analysis on this matter by the ultimate witnesses. The guys that have been on the both ends of the matter, giving and receiving. How about Darcy Tucker and his YouTube hit on Sami Kapanen? He was out this season after miserably failed hit by Tuomo Ruutu. What about the long-term star concussees, Paul Kariya, Eric Lindros etc. Are these guys tough enough to step in the rink fearlessly after some very disturbing incidents? Will the payday cover the fear? And the heavy, reckless hitters then. Scott Stevens, Dion Phaneuf? What they have to say? Do they feel sorry about the "victims"? Or is it in the end just part of the game? You tell me..
Whether you call it a dirty, blindside or just plain irresponsible, the defence always bases its arguments on the legality of those within current NHL rulebook. NHL teams' general managers are discussing over the topic, comissinary has his say, some committees gather to ponder about it and whatnot. It must be a more complicated question than "is it okay to cause intentional, potentially permanent, injury to other players within the written rules?".
It definitely is tough to draw the line. Let's put clear headshots aside for a while. There are check from behind, tripping near the boards, knee-on-knee collisions, irresponsible stick cuts and even the occasional freak skate blade in the air tumbling-overs. All of these end seasons and careers. Some are fully intentional, part of the game's physicality. Some are unfortunate accidents. What then constitutes for the suspension or fine. Who else than the player under jurisdiction can say for sure whether it was vicious or just unfortunate? Not the easiest job for the leagua disciplinarian, Mr. Campbell.
From my point of view it all boils down to the spirit of this sport as an entertainment. Spectators want blood, sweat and tears. Owners want spectators. Coaches want to keep their jobs and require the players to finish their checks without hesitation. Players are indeed 100 kilo bodies flying across the ice for 30kmph. Collisions happen, accidents happen. And the guys are paid millions to suck it up and just suffer through the pain. Old school hockey experts practically all defend the violent hits as part of the "tough guys' tough game". Critics see brutality, inhumanity in action. Again, opinions vary a lot. It is just a matter of time when we see the first paralyzed or dead player laying on the highest level of pro hockey. Is it the chance we have to take and price we have to pay to keep the game alive?
I'd definitely like to hear the analysis on this matter by the ultimate witnesses. The guys that have been on the both ends of the matter, giving and receiving. How about Darcy Tucker and his YouTube hit on Sami Kapanen? He was out this season after miserably failed hit by Tuomo Ruutu. What about the long-term star concussees, Paul Kariya, Eric Lindros etc. Are these guys tough enough to step in the rink fearlessly after some very disturbing incidents? Will the payday cover the fear? And the heavy, reckless hitters then. Scott Stevens, Dion Phaneuf? What they have to say? Do they feel sorry about the "victims"? Or is it in the end just part of the game? You tell me..
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