More Suspensions from the League

by PSyCo2012 on Feb 9, 2011 2:44 PM CST

The NHL has thrown some more suspensions out. This time to the Pen's Matt Cooke and the Devil's Anton Volchenkov. Video of both are on nhl.com. After seeing the plays, what are your thoughts on the suspensions?

On the Cooke play, I honestly think it looked like a hockey play. More angles would have helped, but from what's there, Cooke coasts most of the way into the hit, where the puck was dumped and the defender should have expected to get hit. I think the hit looks bad because of the space the defender left between himself and boards. If he stays closer, hit looks like every other hit.

For Volchenkov, it looks to me like he went in for the open ice hit, realized it would be a blind side to the head too late, and couldn't move back out of the way. I agree with the on ice call of elbowing, but the suspension I find questionable. I guess if you really want to start sending the message, calling the almosts instead of not helps.

What do you guys think?

This is a user-created FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Defending Big D. FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable hockey and Dallas Stars fans.

Tweet Comment 8 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Cooke left his feet

Blatantly. Look at the end of the video.

He was hunting and he has a history and the league should have thrown the effing book at him if they really want to make a statement like they pretend to.

Defending Big D

by Brad Gardner on Feb 9, 2011 3:50 PM CST reply actions

I disagree with the "hit from behind" rule

It’s almost never called, and if you have the puck next to the wall, you should expect to get hit. There’s no reason not to. I had missed him leaving his feet, so that would definitely warrant the penalty. The video given by the link on the right of nhl.com didn’t show that reverse angle at the end. Good catch.

by PSyCo2012 on Feb 9, 2011 5:58 PM CST up reply actions

It gets called if you hit the boards

It’s textbook boarding

Defending Big D

by Brad Gardner on Feb 9, 2011 7:16 PM CST up reply actions

Plus if you can see a player's numbers

there is no clean excuse to hit them from behind into the boards. That play is a penalty (minimum 12 minutes) even in youth recreational hockey.

by BrettB29 on Feb 9, 2011 3:58 PM CST reply actions

Wasn't the "right in the numbers" part what they said about Neal's hit on Dorsett last season?

But only 4 games….the NHL is sending a message, alright. It’s just the wrong one.

Dallas Stars, #1 in the Pacific Division!

TracyJean1972: YouTube channel
@TracyJean: Twitter account

by TracyJean on Feb 9, 2011 4:18 PM CST reply actions

When does the league ever send the RIGHT message?

Oh….wait….

http://www.downgoesbrown.com/2009/11/nhl-suspensions.html

"Our GM,
who art in the front office,
on Conn Smythe be thy name…"

by Angelou Del Angel on Feb 9, 2011 4:23 PM CST up reply actions

2 of the most dangerous plays

in hockey right there, glad they both got the suspensions.

regardless if Cooke was coasting or not, it was still a blatant hit from behind. (I’ve been hit from behind just like that, it’s extremely scary and a completely unnecessary hit)

and Volchenkov, just a dirty play. I don’t know how the guy that got hit managed to stay on his feet, that’s impressive.

by Ross Phillips on Feb 10, 2011 4:50 PM CST reply actions