Wait till you see how "bad" it was, terrible, terrible ruling.
Even the "Rational" that the league provide makes it seem like nothing:
- Glancing Blow to players head (Ok, well thats usually a high stick)
- No Serious Injury, player was able to continue to play. (Awesome, glad nobody was hurt)
- Not intentional blow to head. (Even better, it wasn't intentional, the player wasn't hurt, sounds like a normal high sticking call we see 3 times a game)
- Players must be in control of their stick. (Agreed, thats why they have 2, 4, and 5 minute high sticking penalties.)
Now does that sound like it warrants 10 games? Im still pretty much dumbfounded on the suspension.
Wait till you see how "bad" it was, terrible, terrible ruling.
And the wussy effect of hockey is now hitting the junior scene. The fact he got 10 games for that is a joke. Dave Brown would just be getting out of jail for what he did back in the early 90's all i can say is wow
It happened so fast that it appeared he was falling down and the stick just happened to clip the player.
Apparently the OHL wants to set an example that they're strict with every incident. Is it right? No, but nothing to do now but possibly try to get them to reduce it.
He was on the ground, not sure how he's trying to get body position. You can clearly see him lying on the ground then turning and full force swinging his stick into the player's head. Had he hit the player in the front of the head, it could have been much worse. Let alone had something like this happened to a player not wearing some sort of facial protection in a pro league.
Not sure what else can be described by looking at that play. The puck was blocked at the point, so it's not like the puck was nearby and he was trying to deflect it or hit it.
Was it intentional? Probably not. 10 games worth? Maybe not. However, it was a highly dangerous play which could have been much worse in the right conditions.
He was on the ground, not sure how he's trying to get body position. You can clearly see him lying on the ground then turning and full force swinging his stick into the player's head. Had he hit the player in the front of the head, it could have been much worse. Let alone had something like this happened to a player not wearing some sort of facial protection in a pro league.
Not sure what else can be described by looking at that play. The puck was blocked at the point, so it's not like the puck was nearby and he was trying to deflect it or hit it.
Was it intentional? Probably not. 10 games worth? Maybe not. However, it was a highly dangerous play which could have been much worse in the right conditions.
IDK, I think the suspension was worthy. The puck was nowhere close, he swung his stick wildly and could have seriously hurt the other player.
im gonna agree with you that it was suspendable...that was a VERY reckless thing to do. but i think 10 games is ridiculous. 3-5 would have been more appropriate
If I'm the Rangers front office, I'm on the phone with the OHL offices ASAP filing a grievance. I can understand maybe a one game suspension, but not only was that not intentional, but now one of our best prospects is missing key developmental time for a marginal incident. Absolutely ridiculous.
Don't know what some others are looking at--but to me that's suspension worthy. Lucky that was just a glancing blow--that player could have been seriously hurt. And I understand that there might be more to the whole episode than that--Thomas down on the ice and all but you have to control your temper at least in regard to what you do with your stick.
I'm fine with it. Could have been really bad had it not been just a glancing blow. Control your stick.
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Wow and I thought the English rules were strict on this. The IIHF rulebook states 2+2 for an unintentional high stick that draws blood but because of some insurance BS it's a match penalty, which then gets downgraded to a game misconduct after the game if the player returns to the ice.
A match penalty is automatic 1 game suspension but I've never heard of anyone getting more than 1 game for unintentional high sticks
Last edited by Imaginary Threats: 10-27-2011 at 04:35 PM.
Looking at it again blown up, there is no way that was unintentional. Looked 100% intentional to me. Stick is swung REALLY fast, too. Disgusting play on Thomas's part. Better never pull that kind of **** in the NHL. I am all for being feisty, mean, etc. But that **** was outright dangerous.
Surprised he could "convince" the league that it was unintentional, even. Did not look it at all to me.
Looking at it again blown up, there is no way that was unintentional. Looked 100% intentional to me. Stick is swung REALLY fast, too. Disgusting play on Thomas's part. Better never pull that kind of **** in the NHL. I am all for being feisty, mean, etc. But that **** was outright dangerous.
Surprised he could "convince" the league that it was unintentional, even. Did not look it at all to me.
I don't think I would agree with you that it's 100% intentional, I'd probably use the word reckless or careless. Yeah it looked pretty bad, it looks like he was just trying to get back on his feet quickly to rejoin the play and just didn't take care to control his stick. Agree with you that it's a dangerous play though, definitely enough to warrant a suspension but I think 10 games is a bit OTT
I can't watch the video right now, so I can't comment on how fair/unfair the suspension is.
I do wonder how a long suspension like this affects a young player like Thomas. It's a hefty chunk of a very important season for his development. On the other hand, he'd better learn to control his stick if he's going to survive in the pros (AHL or NHL) -- it's not just that the players are better and tougher, the refs are too.
The velocity of the stick is kind of a giveaway that there's intent involved. Accident? I don't think so and I'm a Rangers homer. It's not that I don't understand it. **** happens sometimes and depending on temperament some will react instinctively. It's happened to me. You've really clobbered a guy almost before you know you've done it. It doesn't make it right and it can cause a very serious injury. Ten games isn't going to end his career. It's a lesson.
Last edited by eco's bones: 10-27-2011 at 05:12 PM.
