Forgot to mention the Wings/Avs game. I only caught the 3rd, OT, & SO. I have to say I think the SO is wearing thin. Not because we lost, but it's novelty has worn off quite a bit. Not that I have a better suggestion on to how to break a tie, just not loving the SO. What do you think?

You are listening too hard to the "homer" Buffalo announcer, Mike...Nik arrived right as the puck arrived to Pomminville's feet. Unfortunate, yes, but dirty....no way. If you call that hit dirty, then Kronwall's hit on Havlat a couple seasons ago was criminal.

'victim'....'criminal'....


Comon guys, this is Hockey, not the NBA.

:-)

There was no doubt it was a dirty hit. The puck was there but it was clearly, a board and a hit from behind. Right after I saw the hit I said 2 games(and so did a couple IceHogs that I was sitting with), which is what he deserved and what he got.

The problem with hockey suspensions and the NHL is that consitency is not one of their strong points at least as of late. It would be interesting to sit in on one of these disciplinary hearings at some point to see hwo things go down. Maybe I will be able to do that one day:-)

Upon a closer look the puck was at his feet. It was passed to Pominville and Hjalmarsson got there pretty much right as the puck did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-4aH7nnPjc

Hjalmarsson did hit him from behind, not directly behind, more of a 45 degree angle from behind and to the side. Hjalmarsson hit Pominville where Pominville could not have been expected to see him coming.

Havlat was circling. He was skating forward, facing Kronwall when he was hit; both his body and his head. Havlat was skating, turned his head to find the puck to his right as he circled left, it went between his legs as he straightened out along the boards, so he looked down to find it, and then looked up just as Kronwall was about to hit him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KJm-qcnnC0

And, his feet were on the ice when contact was made...
Image


That said I don't think Hjalmarsson was trying to hurt him. He just took a bad angle on a well timed hit.

We will have to agree to disagree, Matt.

I know the Kronwall hit wasn't dirty and was from the front, I was exaggerating to make my point, Mike, but you are right on all counts on that one. I agree that Nik wasn't trying to hurt P'ville and it was an unfortunate result.

Luls. I still say there was a second shooter on the grassy knoll.

Just to confirm...

If you or one of the blawkhawks players was hit like that you would consider it clean?

I am not disputing that it was an illegal hit, Matt...I take issue with calling it "dirty", as I don't believe Nik intended to hit him from the side like that. :-)

Clean hit, but yes unfortunate results. I have to say though that I miss the days of Vladimir Konstantinov... that guy could destroy some dudes on the ice

I'm with you 100000%. He was one of the most feared players on the ice. I remember him getting checked through the glass, I believe it was Roenick who hit him, and he climbed back over the wall with a smile on his face. Kronwall reminds me of him at times with the way he times his hits and his propensity to throw a good hip-check. Different players no doubt, but hit a little bit alike.

I remember a few dirty hits from Comrade Konstantinov back in the day....Like him knocking several of Jocelyn Lemeiux's teeth out with a crosscheck to the mouth. Enjoyed the next game against Vlady too, when Dirk Graham beat the ever-loving crap outta him as a little retribution for Lemeiux.

Man I loved watching that guy play.

Konstantinov hits Claude Lemieux
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO1uhorF5LA

Konstantinov hits Peter Forsberg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CX9b...eature=related

Konstantinov lays out Dale Howerchuck & Shanahan scores 97 cup finals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqOcV...eature=related

Other random NHL hits, 10 min video compilation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUOj-...layer_embedded

Konstantinov was a beast, I loved watching him especially come playoff time. He and Federov had a way of taking it to the next level in the playoffs, it was crazy. That accident was a terrible shame...

If I can put in my two cents, I don't think the hit on P'ville was dirty, it just had an unfortunate outcome. Claude Lemieux on Kris Draper (yeah I know it was a long time ago)...now THAT was dirty!!!

I think the way we perceive hits in hockey has a lot changed over the last 5 years. Scott Stevens would absolutely destroy guys and nobody would say a thing. I'm not sure if he could play like that nowadays.

That's true, Stevens would often go for the head with his shots (think Lindros), and that is not legal anymore in the NHL. Too many careers being ended early.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g55Co-EBKys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxWiRen3VTc

If only that accident never happened. Probably would have had Lidstrom and him competing against each other for Norris trophies.

And the guy is Russian, how can you not expect some dirty hits from him :-)

Konstantinov gets rocked HARD by Lindros...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvioR...eature=related

I know its early in the season and we have a new goaltender but the Sharks look very weak on the D.
Boyle just doesnt look like himself (lots of turnovers), Vlasic is getting smoked. And Niemi is letting way to many shots get in the net.
Its early. I will be patient