Regarding Potter going after Kronwall right after the hit on Hemsky, I could not believe there were posters on the GDT calling Potter dumb and mocking him hugging like Stortini. I believe Potter did absolutely the correct thing and did it just right too. I understand that it cost us a double minor and it did not physically punished Kronwall, but hear me out
I'm not labeling it as a dirty hit, but Kronwall was clearly looking to hurt a skill guy and intimidate the Oilers. There was no let up when he saw Hemsky's and with his head down, and there was no consideration for getting the puck, he actually accelerated and blasted Hemsky at full force.
If this is a game 7 of a playoff game, i would agree that Potter and the team should take a number or try to go hit a Wings star player later when there's a chance. However, this was in the 1st period of a regular season game, a 28th place team against an elite team, and a run like that could have ended Hemsky season, and the whole team would be intimidated for the rest of the game.
When Kronwall, the powerful intimidating figure who just destroyed Hemsky, did not want any part of fighting Potter and dropped down on the ice to protect himself, the tides completely changed. Now he became the guy that chicken out and being intimidated, and Potter became the intimidating figure. Players on both team could all see and sense that the Oilers are not going to care about a minor penalty and will fight back.
You could just feel all our guys were inspired and determined to make it a game after this. There was a sense of team spirit and no one was going to quit or bail out on a physical challenge for the rest of the night.
If no one went after Kronwall right away, the team would be intimidated, might play scared, becomes weak, and no sense of team fighting spirit. Look at the funk that Buffalo was in after the Lucic hit on Miller, and all the media attention and talk around the league about the lack of response to Lucic's intimidation from Buffalo.
And Potter did it right by just mugging Kronwall and not sucker punching him. That scored points with the ref, that's why it's not a game misconduct and just a double minor. And it did not fuel a fire in Detroit as he obviously held back on Kronwall instead of doing anything dirty.
I say GREAT JOB, Potter! I thought that was one of the more important contributing factors of our win last night.
Regarding Potter going after Kronwall right after the hit on Hemsky, I could not believe there were posters on the GDT calling Potter dumb and mocking him hugging like Stortini. I believe Potter did absolutely the correct thing and did it just right too. I understand that it cost us a double minor and it did not physically punished Kronwall, but hear me out
I'm not labeling it as a dirty hit, but Kronwall was clearly looking to hurt a skill guy and intimidate the Oilers. There was no let up when he saw Hemsky's and with his head down, and there was no consideration for getting the puck, he actually accelerated and blasted Hemsky at full force.
If this is a game 7 of a playoff game, i would agree that Potter and the team should take a number or try to go hit a Wings star player later when there's a chance. However, this was in the 1st period of a regular season game, a 28th place team against an elite team, and a run like that could have ended Hemsky season, and the whole team would be intimidated for the rest of the game.
When Kronwall, the powerful intimidating figure who just destroyed Hemsky, did not want any part of fighting Potter and dropped down on the ice to protect himself, the tides completely changed. Now he became the guy that chicken out and being intimidated, and Potter became the intimidating figure. Players on both team could all see and sense that the Oilers are not going to care about a minor penalty and will fight back.
You could just feel all our guys were inspired and determined to make it a game after this. There was a sense of team spirit and no one was going to quit or bail out on a physical challenge for the rest of the night.
If no one went after Kronwall right away, the team would be intimidated, might play scared, becomes weak, and no sense of team fighting spirit. Look at the funk that Buffalo was in after the Lucic hit on Miller, and all the media attention and talk around the league about the lack of response to Lucic's intimidation from Buffalo.
And Potter did it right by just mugging Kronwall and not sucker punching him. That scored points with the ref, that's why it's not a game misconduct and just a double minor. And it did not fuel a fire in Detroit as he obviously held back on Kronwall instead of doing anything dirty.
I say GREAT JOB, Potter! I thought that was one of the more important contributing factors of our win last night.
Agree 100%. However, Potter receiving a double minor in the play was ridiculous.
Regarding Potter going after Kronwall right after the hit on Hemsky, I could not believe there were posters on the GDT calling Potter dumb and mocking him hugging like Stortini. I believe Potter did absolutely the correct thing and did it just right too. I understand that it cost us a double minor and it did not physically punished Kronwall, but hear me out
I'm not labeling it as a dirty hit, but Kronwall was clearly looking to hurt a skill guy and intimidate the Oilers. There was no let up when he saw Hemsky's and with his head down, and there was no consideration for getting the puck, he actually accelerated and blasted Hemsky at full force.
If this is a game 7 of a playoff game, i would agree that Potter and the team should take a number or try to go hit a Wings star player later when there's a chance. However, this was in the 1st period of a regular season game, a 28th place team against an elite team, and a run like that could have ended Hemsky season, and the whole team would be intimidated for the rest of the game.
When Kronwall, the powerful intimidating figure who just destroyed Hemsky, did not want any part of fighting Potter and dropped down on the ice to protect himself, the tides completely changed. Now he became the guy that chicken out and being intimidated, and Potter became the intimidating figure. Players on both team could all see and sense that the Oilers are not going to care about a minor penalty and will fight back.
You could just feel all our guys were inspired and determined to make it a game after this. There was a sense of team spirit and no one was going to quit or bail out on a physical challenge for the rest of the night.
If no one went after Kronwall right away, the team would be intimidated, might play scared, becomes weak, and no sense of team fighting spirit. Look at the funk that Buffalo was in after the Lucic hit on Miller, and all the media attention and talk around the league about the lack of response to Lucic's intimidation from Buffalo.
And Potter did it right by just mugging Kronwall and not sucker punching him. That scored points with the ref, that's why it's not a game misconduct and just a double minor. And it did not fuel a fire in Detroit as he obviously held back on Kronwall instead of doing anything dirty.
I say GREAT JOB, Potter! I thought that was one of the more important contributing factors of our win last night.
Good point. You got to answer their intimidation with the same regardless of the consequences but do it in a smart way.
