No More Love for Weight - Canes 4, Islanders 3
by Bob Wage on Oct 26, 2008 3:12 AM EDT
36 comments
This blogger has been a fan of Doug Weight for a long time. Tonight, the fandom is over.
In the third period while rookie Brandon Sutter was extending himself and trying to make a play on the puck when approaching the Islanders zone, Weight lowered his shoulder and took out the vulnerable, 19-year-old. Sutter laid on the ice motionless for quite some time before being helped to the dressingroom.
According to the rules it was a legal hit. But was it a "clean" hit? Was it really necessary? Weight made no attempt at all to play the puck, he lowered his shoulder and went right after his young, inexperienced target.
Many fans will have no problem with that play calling it, "a part of hockey". Sutter will certainly learn his lesson. He'll learn that he should never try that hard to make a play again, so that he won't put himself in a similar situation. Better to hold back and play it safe, then to try to make a hustle play and be vulnerable.
Matt Cullen learned his lesson, and he hasn't been the same daring, dynamic player since his last concussion.
And the NHL is trying to figure out how to increase scoring?
While the NFL has figured out that it doesn't do their league any good to have their stars carted off the field with concussions, the NHL doesn't care. Helmet to helmet hits are illegal in football. Taking another player's head off is a "good play" in the NHL.
Eric Staal spoke from the heart and said it best after the game. "Weight made no attempt to play the puck, he went right after Sutter". That's not an upset hockey blogger talking, that's an ex-teammate.
What might be even more frustrating for fans is that there was no retribution after the play. Poor little Ryan Bayda was called for roughing.
Apparently, Wade Brookbank (1:47) and Dan LaCouture (4:02) had already played their allotted minutes for the game and were not allowed to leave the bench, which leads to a completely different topic which we will discuss later.
The hockey game was a wild and crazy affair. The Hurricanes allowed a franchise record 60 shots on goal, but Cam Ward was on top of his game and stopped 57 of them.
Carolina got off to a fast start and took a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by Chad LaRose and Rod Brind'Amour.
Freddie Meyer got the Islanders started with a goal in the second period, but Eric Staal stole the puck and made a nice shot to put the Canes back up by two, 3-1.
Then the Islanders started to take liberties as Nate Thompson took runs at Tim Gleason and then Ray Whitney. After Whitney ducked out of the way of the attempted high hit on him, Gleason skated over to challenge Thompson and quickly took him down to the ice as both players were given respective five minute fighting majors.
In the meantime, the Islanders were starting to take over the hockey game. The Hurricanes couldn't keep out of the penalty box, which certainly didn't help matters.
The New Yorkers made the score 3-2 early in the third period when Sean Bergenheim scored a short-handed tally. The shooter skated right into Cam Ward and took out the goalie on the play, but no penalty was called.
The home team kept almost constant pressure on the Canes but Chad LaRose was able to score another goal on a beautiful play by Brandon Sutter. The rookie had been skating very well up until Weight took him out of the game, which is exactly what Thompson tried to do to Ray Whitney just a bit earlier in the contest.
The Islanders made it close again as Mark Streit finally took advantage of the man advantage and rifled in a shot on a powerplay. It seemed like the home team had the man advantage most of the game.
Cam Ward was able to hold off numerous shots and attempts the rest of the game until things got weird near the end. The Islanders pulled their goalie and skated the puck up to their own blue line, then shot the puck into the Hurricanes zone. The Canes touched up, thinking that it was an obvious icing call, but none was provided.
There was a flurry of activity all around the goal, and the puck ended up loose in the crease. Tim Gleason dove on it, illegally covering the puck and the Islanders were awarded a penalty shot with 0.7 seconds left. As luck would have it, Doug Weight was selected by his coach to take the shot. Karma came back to bite Weight though, and Cam Ward made the save to ice the game for the Canes.
At the time of this article, Sutter was in the hospital and was going to stay there over-night for observation. Joni Pitkanen also left the game early with a possible knee injury. No other information was provided.
The Canes should be given credit for their effort in this game, but they seem to be physically beaten up already this season. Teams know that they can't skate with Carolina and match up with their skill, so they get rough with them and go after the team physically. If they can manhandle the Canes, then they will have a much better chance to beat them, and if players get hurt in the process then so-be-it.
One thing for certain, Caniacs are getting tired of watching their players get carried off the ice. Much more about this topic later.
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comment from Dan-
Hey Doug- am a lifetime hockey fan. Loved the cup win here in Carolina. Just watched your cheap low life hit on Sutter. Am so tired of the suck up announcers pretending to understand while wanting lockeroom access. You just lost all respect. Cheap, low, unnecessary wimp. Catch ‘em while they aren’t looking. Young kid- no chance, just the way you like it. What a loser, old man, go away. You should be embarrassed. Better be. Go away, retire, garden. He deserves so much better than a blind shot from a has-been.
by Bubba on Oct 26, 2008 3:31 AM EDT reply actions
Is it me or are the refs watching a different game. I saw at least 3 clear interference calls blown. This was the poorest officiating I have seen in a while.
I suppose if any player wants to headhunt, they will fit in well to this nhl. What the hell. How does Ryan Bayda get the only penalty? Why is Brookbank and Lacoteur on this team anyway? I want Larry Playfair to come out of retirement.
John Forsland was just singing the praises of Weight when he took that cheap shot. You heard it “Weight really values his time in Carolina.” That guy was piggy backing on a freight train. Tripp Tracy….shut up. I suppose it is ok for a pitcher in baseball to bean a guy in the head if he can get away with it.
If I hear John Forsland scream when the oppposition scores a goal again, I may be physicall ill. Your not doing a Verses game bud. I do believe the Canes are paying you.
It made no matter that it was a young rookie skating in a vulnerable position. That was Ronnie and Cullen all over again. How can this behavior be tolerated when so much is riding on these players? Just the money involved should motivate the league to change this rule. If someone lays any player out with a hit to the head….automatic 20 game suspension. Problem solved.
Frustrating to watch….
by Ken on Oct 26, 2008 7:31 AM EDT reply actions
It was Ronnie and Cullen all over again…. it was Shane Willis too….
When the player being hit can see it coming and has a chance to try to counter-act… then I have no problem w/ it…. but When a SMALLER kid (who is in his first year out of Juniors) has his head down and can not see a massive man coming at him full speed…. That isn’t right. It may be legal, but it isn’t right. Doug Weight knows what it’s like to be hit w/ a cheap shot… He also knows what it’s like to be a rookie in a tough tough league to play in… it was his responsibility to ease up… if he wanted to make a hit… then fine.. make a hit… but don’t take the kids head off!!! That’s just nasty!
When are the Isles coming back to Raleigh?
N&O are reporting that Joni flew back to Raleigh to have his knee evaluated…. Geez…. here we go….
by Mateo on Oct 26, 2008 9:01 AM EDT reply actions
A couple points.
1 Weight was not headhunting. The hit would have been shoulder to shoulder, had Sutter not reached at the last minute. I agree Weight could have/should have playe dthe puck, but to label Weight as a cheapshot artist over this is unfair.
2 John is supposed to call every play with excitement. We don’t want a play by play homer. Listen to a Florida Panthers Broadcast and you will learn to appreciate a little impartiality. I think most of you would call Chuck Kaiton an excellent anouncer and sometimes he sounds more excited when the opposition scores. I for one am glad Johnny doesn;t come off like a homer. I want someone who will call the play as it is.
3. Godspeed Sutter. I hope you have a speedy and full recovery!
Flame me alll you guys want, but this is an unfortunate part of any highspeed contact sport.
by wylde4canes on Oct 26, 2008 9:19 AM EDT reply actions
My problem with the hit on Sutter is that there was no attempt to play the puck. Weight had Brandon lined up for what appeared to be 20 feet, as he was skating back to the bench. He could have eased up, he could have tried to play the puck. There were several opportunities for Canes to make similar hits right after this occured, but our guys eased up. I mean shit, it’s not like Weight is a young player trying to make his mark in the NHL I am bothered that Weight and Isles didn’t have to answer for this play. The hit was legal, but not necessary, or classy. And they got a frippin PP out of the deal? Poor Bayda looked like Mike Tyson’s Punchout trying to get after some Isles. Wish Staal or Brindy had asked Weight to dance, he would have had to accept or look like a coward for second time in the game.
Cam may be back to the form we expect.
Still pissed…..Swenk
by Swenk on Oct 26, 2008 9:24 AM EDT reply actions
wylde4canes,
I suppose you were trying to make a few points to my comments. A few counter points.
1)If Weight wasn’t playing the puck, and he hits a guy cleanly in the side of the head….what was he playing? The guy’s head. Head hunting…..by definition. This was not a glancing blow. It was squarely to the head.
2)One does not need to not be excited to call a nice game. How about Chuck. “He scores” with INTENSITY is different than “HHHHEEEEEE SSSCCCCOORRREEEESSS” I mean if I want to hear the oppositions announcers, I could get their feed. If our announcers are not partial at all then why does each team have announcers at each game….why not interchangable parts. One set of guys at each game for all the coverage right? Silly, the Canes need excitement about “our team, our tradition” not Our Team, their tradition……..Listen to a French broadcast of the Canadiens and you will understand this concept. Its not the news, its hockey.
3)Brandon wouldn’t need to recover if that coward hadn’t taken his head off.
Swenk, good stuff.
by Ken on Oct 26, 2008 9:51 AM EDT reply actions
I cannot blame Weight for making that hit as the rules allow it. I do have a problem with the NHL for not addressing the issue of “defensive” plays that are clearly carried out with malicious intensions, however. If player A is going for the puck and gets hit with malicious or unnecessary force by player B who is not seeking the puck, I feel that player B should be penalized. If such a rule were to exist, however, it would give the officials the power to judge whether a player has malicious intent or uses greater than necessary force. So I am not really sure if I would want that or not.
I still want hockey to be a physical game. I just do not want to see players’ careers ended a la Eric Lindros as a result of a hit when it was just as possible for the checking player to play the puck instead of the body. Especially when the player getting hit is making an attempt to play the puck. People will say things like: “You cannot skate around with your head down like that.” But the puck is on the ice, people. It is necessary for a player to look down at the puck sometimes. I’m not saying that players should not be allowed to be touched at all while carrying the puck: I am a big fan of the hip check and rubbing out players along the boards. Too often though, defending players will skate at a puck carrier with the clear intent of doing more than just making a defensive play.
I could tell from the look on his face that Weight felt bad about the hit and perhaps would have eased up if given a do-over. But I feel that Weight should not have to decide whether to deliver a blow or make an attempt to play the puck: Perhaps the NHL should decide for him by implementing rule changes to discourage/prevent such incidents.
I don’t want to sound like a whiner or a sore sport, but I honestly feel that if it were Sidney Crosby instead of Brandon Sutter getting hit like that, actions by the League would be taken. I would actually bet money on it and I don’t even bet on the Super Bowl. This is just my observation as a hockey fan of the NHL’s treatment of star players.
by Sluv on Oct 26, 2008 11:35 AM EDT reply actions
Just because Weight hit Sutter in the head doesn’t mean he’s a “headhunter”. Head hitter, maybe, but not head hunter. You can’t believe for even half a second that Weight was trying to injure Sutter. He was trying to make a big hit, and Sutter exposed himself too much. Sure, he probably could have tried a pokecheck or a less violent check, but the thing to remember here is that both players were moving very fast. I’m upset that it happened, and I hope Brandon is okay, but I think it’s ridiculous to suggest that Weight did that by design.
Based on some of the comments I’ve seen here and elsewhere, I hate to think what people will say next week when the Oilers come to town and Erik Cole plays like Erik Cole has always played.
by d-lee on Oct 26, 2008 11:49 AM EDT reply actions
I just thought about this, I was at the game and seeing it there it looked like he elbowed Sutter in the head. Anyways, I was a bit miffed as to why there was no penalty on the Isles on the play, but I just realized, why did they not even call charging on the play, I mean Weight skated half way across the ice. Also, the thing that angered me most in teh game was putting 4 forwards on our PP with a 2 goal lead in the 3rd when we haven’t even done it all year, it was like Laviolette was asking to give up a shorty there. I did not realize at the time that Pitkanen was out and I suppose they were trying to get something worked out with one of the few PP’s we had, but still a 2 goal lead in third is not time to play 4 forwards on PP.
by Lou on Oct 26, 2008 12:04 PM EDT reply actions
One more thought…remove the instigator penalty and hits to the head will be policed by the players. Lavy prolly wouldn’t let Wade of the bench in the third in the fear of him pumelling Weight and getting an instigator and game misconduct.
by Swenk on Oct 26, 2008 12:07 PM EDT reply actions
…I don’t believe Weight was headhunting, and I don’t think it was illegal. Weight was playing hard, as everyone who plays AGAINST the ‘Canes knows that it is the way to beat them – and I wish the Hurricanes would play with as much intensity. I’m more unhappy with the ’Canes reaction to this physical play. Teams know they can steamroll the Hurricanes, so they step up the aggression and intimidation. Brookbank, LaCouture and even Conboy should be playing more minutes at this level so other teams would think twice about playing the Hurricanes this aggressively. It would open up the ice and force them to play OUR game – make THEM skate with their head up – instead of leaving a trail of Hurricanes wounded in the wake of just about every game.
by marc on Oct 26, 2008 12:12 PM EDT reply actions
As a fan without a rooting interest here, I thought it was a clean, tough hit. This is the NHL, and you can’t cruise up ice without looking out for someone like that.
by Dirk Hoag on Oct 26, 2008 12:35 PM EDT reply actions
All I know is that I am glad that Ward is back in goal. Enough of this circus of trying to make a point to the kid and letting some AHL goalie who MIGHT end up being a decent back up play. Leave Ward alone, let him play and let him lead this team to the playoffs!
by Andy on Oct 26, 2008 12:42 PM EDT reply actions
I guess my comment would be “you can’t have it both ways.” If the shoe was on the other foot and one of the Canes was making the hit, we wouldn’t be calling for a suspension or retribution. We’d be talking about what a great hit it was. Hell, Brandon Sutter’s famous hit on Cherapanov at the Super Series was a beauty — and it left his opponent concussed.
This wasn’t a boarding hit from behind, a flying body check or an elbow. It was a guy making a hockey play. I feel terrible for Brandon, and I think someone needed to go after Weight, as part of “the code.” All that being said, Doug was clearly shaken up by it — he clearly meant to do his job and separate Sutter from the puck. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but we’re not talking about a headhunter like Orr skating around just to make big hits. Weight’s not out there for that.
All we can hope for is Brandon recovers quickly and picks up where he left off.
by Cory on Oct 26, 2008 12:43 PM EDT reply actions
Cory,
Good points. The real source of my frustration is that there was no response by the Canes bench to the hit. Let’s face it…the hit was clean. Weight is built like a lumberjack, while Brandon is still a lanky teenager.
Again i state that Canes had several opportunities to deliver similar hits in the neutral zone but eased up to avoid contact with the opposing players head. Ruutu is really the only player on the roster capable of making devastating hits, and he’s really no bigger than anyone else. The only player that i saw really respond to the hit on Brandon, besides Bayda, was Eaves..maybe he can bring that edgy play more often.
anyways good post as always, thanks for the perspective
Swenk
by Swenk on Oct 26, 2008 1:07 PM EDT reply actions
I thought that someone might bring up Cherapanov. Only difference is that the Russian had just given Brandon, or one of his teammates a cheapshot at the other end of the ice. Sutter’s hit was legal, but there was a purpose for it….retribution. He doesn’t normally play like that. How many other hits has he had like that?
Players have choices to make while they are on the ice. Eric Staal, who probably had a better view of the hit than any of us said that he thought Weight could have played the puck instead of lowering his shoulder.
Hurricane players usually don’t seem to make hits like that, so it’s hard to judge just how happy fans would be about watching one. Is it because of choice, or is it because they don’t have the skill set?
No one mentions Thompson’s attempted head hunting of Ray Whitney. Whitney was savvy enough to duck out of the way, but Thompson was definitely going after Whitney’s head.
Do teams attempt to step up the physicality against the Canes, or is it just a fluke all of the concussions that this team has had over the years?
by Bubba on Oct 26, 2008 1:14 PM EDT reply actions
Give me a break. Of course they are lining up the Canes players. Until this organization makes a move to protect these guys, this garbage will continue to happen. Yes Whitney was ducking out of a hit too. This is by design. When you have an obviously inferior team, one way to deal with a fast team is to brawl with them. Hits like that are not what hockey is about. It is about speed and skill. If you want to see that stuff, go to a UFC event.
Doug Weight had a look of guilt on his face. He knew he had done something that was pathetic. Eric Staal said it best…. Weight chose to not play the puck. If a Hurricane made a hit like that, I would be equally upset. If you did that outside of the rink, it is called assault.
by Ken on Oct 26, 2008 2:05 PM EDT reply actions
Cherapanov had slew-footed him at the other end of the ice (more a dirty trick than a cheapshot). Saying that what Sutter did is more justified than what Weight did is a slippery slope — you’re saying it’s OK to do it as revenge. IMO, that’s way more dangerous and damaging than doing it in the game. Weight doesn’t exactly have a history of running around knocking people’s block off, either. But if you play as long as he’s played, you’re going to get off a good one from time to time.
Thompson’s attempted hit was headhunting, and done by a player out there to provide nothing but tenacious (I won’t say dirty) play. And Gleason went after him for it (btw, i’d argue Swenk that Gleason is capable of the big hit, too).
I’m troubled by the “go for the puck instead” argument b/c if that’s the thinking, than bodychecking might as well be legislated out of the game. B/c you already can’t hit when it’s not there — now, if you can’t when it is there … when can you?
Again, the main point should be making sure Brandon is OK and gets his career moving back in the right direction.
How about a discussion of who gets called up. Helminen? Jensen is still hurt.
by Cory on Oct 26, 2008 2:06 PM EDT reply actions
Ken … fighting is assault, too … and so is bodychecking someone, hitting someone with a stick, ect. ect. Let’s not make this a legal argument.
by Cory on Oct 26, 2008 2:08 PM EDT reply actions
Cory,
I have been watching hockey for 35 years. The hit was uncalled for. The league needs to look at these hits. I think you would advocate free speech don’t you? I will fight for your right to say your piece too. What is wrong with talking about the legal side of sports? Seems clear that intent goes into many legal decisions.
by Ken on Oct 26, 2008 2:22 PM EDT reply actions
First off, players can be injured during a slew-foot. Remember how ticked off Mario was when he thought Staal slew-footed him?
I’m not justifying what Sutter did with the Russian, I’m saying that there was a reason for it, and that he normally doesn’t play that way.
Normally, Weight doesn’t play this way either, but he intentionally lowered his shoulder to deliver a big hit. He might not have been aiming for the head, but he knew what he was doing.
I agree with what Eric Staal said and I’ll leave it at that.
by Bubba on Oct 26, 2008 2:28 PM EDT reply actions
I don’t want to sound like a hockey elitist here, but I play the game regularly, albeit at a much much lower level. The speed and number of variables make these horrible incidents somewhat inevitable.
I think they need to be examined on a case by case basis. We know Doug Weight, he’s a class guy, and I think the replay showed that while the result was horrible, it was not an intentional attempt to injure.
It’s a contact game played by world class athlete’s playing to the limit of their abilities. Unfortunately this is the outcome.
Godspeed Brandon. We need you.
by Bob on Oct 26, 2008 2:28 PM EDT reply actions
Does anyone know about Pitkanen? When did he get injured? Did Doug Weight do it? Sorry for that. Anyone know?
by Ken on Oct 26, 2008 2:45 PM EDT reply actions
The hit was legal but shouldn’t be. In my opinion, hits to the head should be like high sticking penalties—2 minutes for “minor” hits (no blood, able to continue to play) and 4 minutes for blood or when you really clean somebody’s clock—intentional or not. Don’t get me wrong, I love the hitting and physical aspects of the game but head shots are just too dangerous. One day someone is going to die from a head shot—maybe then things will change.
And I agree if it was Crosby or Malkin, the league would suspend Weight without question.
Just my two cents.
by Brindyfan on Oct 26, 2008 2:46 PM EDT reply actions
Ken, you can say whatever you like here. No one deleted your comment or anything. On top of that, you won’t find more adamant free speech guy than me anywhere — seriously, anywhere. But to bring up any kind of legal situation as assault in the argument is, to me, neither here nor there. I mean, should Roy Cooper look into this hit?? You can’t say the hit was “assault” off the ice and, at the same time ask “why are Brookbank and LaCouture on this team anyway?” (and, fwiw, just b/c LaCouture is on the 4th line and will fight, it doesn’t make him one of our designated fighters — he’s an energy guy, not a middleweight).
It’s a nasty hit, and if the league and the PA takes a stance that hits to the head will be penalized (either in-game or after the game), then something needs to be done. For right now, though, this is a legal and regrettable hit. Weight won’t — and shouldn’t, based on the rules — get suspended or fined.
by Cory on Oct 26, 2008 2:47 PM EDT reply actions
Sprained knee, Ken … he’s being re-evaluated in Raleigh. Also, Chip has said there will be an update on Sutter from the team later today.
by Cory on Oct 26, 2008 2:52 PM EDT reply actions
I agree with Swenk’s comments above. My frustration as well is that teams know to gear their game plan to an aggressive game when it comes to the ‘Canes, and there is no answer for it. I would love it if some of the Hurricanes would step up the aggressive game a bit – it would certainly free up room for our great skaters. It is possible for both to exist. I would also hate for hits to be legislated out of the league. I don’t think it was a dirty hit – Staal HAS to say something along the lines of what he said. Someone needs to stick up for Brandon – do it at the press conference, at least.
by marc on Oct 26, 2008 3:33 PM EDT reply actions
So, according to the comments on this page, that hit was dirty because:
- it is Sutter’s first year in the NHL (perhaps one of his uncles could have let him know that this is a full-contact sport)
- Sutter is smaller than Weight (seriously?)
- it was a “blind-shot” (except for the part where Sutter was looking right at him
- he wasn’t playing the puck (any kid that has ever played contact hockey is taught to play the body and let your team-mate take the puck – you can’t score if i put you on your ass, but if i try to get fancy and poke the puck away, i might miss and give up a big play)
- it was charging (umm no, he was gliding when he hit him and he did not leave his feet)
- it was unnecessary ( did someone actually type that? unnecessary?)
Sutter extended his body and lowered his head. Weight’s elbow was down and he stepped into his man. That is what he is supposed to do.
That hit was not dirty, not illegal. If you want to argue that the NHL should outlaw hits to the head, then fine; but until then this was a clean hit that was perfectly within the rules of the game.
by Paul on Oct 26, 2008 4:53 PM EDT reply actions
Ken,
I was not singling you out at all.
TO be head hunting he would have been hitting high, he was leading with his shoulder, Sutter played for the puck, put his head down and got clobbered. I agree the smarter play would be for weight to play the puck, but as Marc pointed out, the book has been written on us all ready. Play us physically and we will crumble.
I stand by John,and the way John announces. He show a love for the game and not just for the team paying him. But that is my opinion which obviously differs from yours.
by wylde4canes on Oct 26, 2008 5:03 PM EDT reply actions
I don’t think that Doug Weight meant to injure anyone… however he could have accomplished the same result by playing the puck instead of hitting the player… he could have “stood him up” as they say… I don’t think his intentions are really in question… his judgment in this situation I think is the real issues… Is he saying to himself “I want to throw my body to the guy w/ the puck…” or is he saying “I want to cause a puck turnover…” you can get a guy to turn over the puck w/out hospitalizing him…. I don’t think Doug Weight is a bad guy…. but the hit to the head was a poor choice…
And the point that “if the shoe were on the other foot” is true… if it were our player who hit one of their guys like this… we all would have probably loved it… I guess…
by Mateo on Oct 26, 2008 5:26 PM EDT reply actions
This game is a wake up call just as the game against the Rangers was last year. The league will not protect the
Hurricanes, only the Çanes and their GM/Coach can do it. I am sure Doug Weight did not mean to hurt Sutter, but the fact of the matter is he did. As others have pointed out, the Islanders were already running our players. Instigating penalty or not, Brookbank should have been on the ice as soon as Weight came over the boards.
The issue is NOT Doug Weight. The issue is that the Hurricanes are perceived as a skilled, skating team that allows other teams to cross the line against them in terms of physical play. As JR said in his comments, the Çanes have had 3 serious concussions and one broken neck as a result of head shots and a check from behind.
JR and the coaching staff need to realize this will continue until they stop it. That means Conboy back to the NHL, and more ice time than a token 2 minutes a night for Brookbank and Lacouture. Ask yourself one question: If this incident took place in a game was between the Islanders and the Flyers, how would Philadelphia have responded? We all know the answer.
by JohnS on Oct 26, 2008 7:01 PM EDT reply actions
Yeah… Philly would have killed everyone… including the mascot… Our coach has an odd view of fighting… he always has. But it’s true that if the league isn’t going to “send the message” (as Forslund put it) then our players need to send the message themselves… I like Doug Weight as much as I like anyone… but (clean hit or not) he should have had to pay the price for hitting a guy like he did…
in watching the replay (it’s all over YouTube) it’s clear that he could have EASILY played the puck without any contact to Sutter whatsoever….
by Mateo on Oct 26, 2008 8:01 PM EDT reply actions
I can’t believe all the crap I’m reading here. WHY should Doug Weight elect to go for a stick check and remove the puck? As long as Sutter is in possession of the puck he is allowed to go for the body check and be physical. It’s his choice!
Using your body is more effective in a defensive play as it assures that you stop or slow down the opposing player. Weight goes in with his elbows down and aims to shrug Sutter off the puck by hitting him in the upper body. Unfortunately the young guy ducks down to chase the puck and is hit up high. That’s more a welcome to the big league than anything else. When someone fires a hard slap shot that hits someone in the face, does anyone think that the player should have chosen a low wrister in stead to save the receiving player?
Let me add that I hope that Sutter recovers fully from his injury and comes back with the same ability as before. I just don’t think it’s fair to put a goon stamp on a classy player who never intended to injure by his play.
by Islesfan on Oct 26, 2008 11:29 PM EDT reply actions
Islesfan, I for one have been pretty defensive of Weight in this situation, but truth being told, Sutter was NOT in possesion of the puck. had he been, it would have been a shoulder to shoulder hit. This is not Big E with his head down charging the the neutral zone, this was a guy trying to gain possesion of the puck and in doing so, getting hurt.
by wylde4canes on Oct 27, 2008 8:59 AM EDT reply actions
So we’ve gone from “it was a dirty hit” to “he should have played the puck” to “he should pay the price for a clean hit”?
I’ve gone from “did any of you guys ever play hockey” to “have any of you guys ever seen a hockey game” to “it’s called hockey, we play it with a stick”.
by Paul on Oct 27, 2008 3:54 PM EDT reply actions
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