While it’s true the league is trying to clean-up the game, some players simply don’t get it?
Head shots on any player are simply not needed in today’s game, regardless of who the player is on the receiving end of the hit.
There is no doubt that the Canucks enjoying playing the Hawks and the fans simply bask at the idea of a rematch between the clubs.While the media speculates on how the Canucks play and often offer advice, they don’t understand the game, but quite often think they do?
Writers are far to fast to question the moves of the Coaching staff or the GM, but fail to give enough credit when the team plays well.
Whether it’s a paper, web site, Facebook or Twitter it’s all relevant.
The game played in Chicago was very physical from the opening face-off with players on both teams taking liberties on each other.
Everyone knows that the Canucks thrive on the play of both Daniel and Henrik, so it’s no wonder why other clubs target them, with cheap shot after cheap shot.
That alone was very noticeable in last year’s play-off series, regardless of who they played.
The shot (rather I will call it what it was – a dirty elbow to the head) by Hawk’s player Duncan Keith was simply just that. A cheap shot!!
No one was near Daniel, nor was the puck. He was alone mid-ice when he was nailed with a vicious elbow to the head. Keith received a minor and one questions why only a minor and not a Major?
Should these hits not be penalized much more severe by the officials, if the league permits them to make the call according to the book?
Daniel is lost to the Canucks for an indefinite period of time, yet Keith continues to play for the time being.
Everyone is speculating that the NHL’s disciplinarian will deal with this hit with a suspension to Duncan Keith and all we can do is hope they do.
Daniel is an exceptional play with far more skill that Duncan Keith.
Yes they do play different positions and bring specific skill set’s to the respective teams.
First let’s look at Keith. He was selected 54th overall by the Hawks in the 2002 NHL Draft.
The following season he split with Michigan and the Rockets in Kelowna.
He played minor hockey in Fort Frances and started playing defense when he was 8 or 9.
The family moved to Summerland as his Dad took a job at a branch office.
He eventually moved to Penticton and finished his last two years of minor hockey. The next year he played for the Penticton Panthers as a 16 year old.
His career continued and he did play solid for all teams and while he is with the Hawks, his play earned him a new contract December 3/09.
He signed for $72 million for a 13 year deal. So given this why did he throw a cheap elbow a Daniel?
Was it in the heat of the moment or to make a point and take out a league star?
Regardless of why he did it, the league has to start taking these much more serious.
Daniel sits out with an injury, so Duncan Keith should sit out the same time as the injured Daniel.
Money, playing aggressive and winning, sport has become big business and in today’s world the normal working person, simply can’t afford a ticket.
Let’s rid the sport of these cheap shots and allow the officials to make the proper call rather than be concerned what the outcome might be if they throw out a superstar for a cheap shot.
Daniel is out for an undisclosed amount of time, and it’s only time, until someone (terrible to say) dies on the ice, due to a cheap hit?
Let’s take the game back and make it a real sport!!
Teach the youth to play proper and show them this type of hit is not a part of the game.
My 2-cents worth? Photo with my Bud! .
Watch the video.
http://video.canucks.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=-6&id=166646
