Attack After The Hit – Hockey’s Next Epidemic

Christopher

CALGARY, AB

Hitting from behind has been on the NHL’s agenda for quite some time, but NHL brass has yet to find a vaccination, let alone a cure, for this pesky, recurrent problem. With the recent demolishing but legal hit by Dion Phaneuf on Kyle Okposo and subsequent attack on Phaneuf by the Islanders Pascal Morency, my concerns were again heightened. In this incidence, the NHL has so far taken the necessary steps and has suspended Morency indefinitely to be reviewed in the near future. We are left to wonder that the fact that he left the bench might be more of a determinant of why the NHL is going after him in this instance. It will be interesting to see the outcome of this and if the NHL’s brass’ actions are consistent in the future. Here’s a rundown of the usual course of events of the NHL’s latest epidemic: The Cause: A vicious, but clean, legal hit. The Symptoms: An immediate retaliation by the teammate of the victim who was rocked by the above mentioned hit. The Disease: A player making one of the most exciting plays in hockey, that is: a clean, bone-jarring hit, needlessly and wrongly becoming the victim. The Cure: Harsher penalties/suspensions by NHL disciplinary officials. Okay, in the heat of battle, tempers do flare. However, when a guy has to defend or stand up for himself immediately after landing a perfectly clean, bone-crushing hit, this is getting annoying and could lead to another potential dangerous situation. Often after a player delivers such a blow, he is momentarily defenceless, comparable to being hit from behind, when the teammate of the victim immediately starts his attack. Of course, there are times when it is borderline whether or not the bone-jarring hit is clean or dirty. Nonetheless, it should be left up to the officials or even the NHL higher brass to make that call. Of course, easier said than done. Whatever happened to taking a player’s number and getting payback later in the game or even in the season, but all within the framework of the rules? Hitting is obviously a major part of sports like football and rugby. How do players respond in those respective sports when a tremendous hit is laid? Teammates take numbers and revenge can indeed be sweet, but in most circumstances, within the confines of the rules. Again, sticking up for teammates – good. But…a player getting punished for performing one of the most exciting plays in this great sport – NOT acceptable! The NHL and NHLPA brass should be tackling issues such as hitting from behind and attacks after a clean hit more aggressively and effectively.
 

 LEGAL  /  PRIVACY  /  RULES & REGULATIONS