8 GAMES
03.19.10
The Chicago Blackhawks had six players go to Vancouver for the Olympics; now they’re playing like they’re in the Special Olympics. See what I did there? The ‘hawks have now drawn their second suspension from an opposing player within a week; this time it’s James Wisniewski of the Anaheim Ducks, who will be suspended for eight games for a broadside hit on Chicago’s Brent Seabrook.
The irony of the play is that Seabrook delivered almost the exact same hit on Anaheim’s Corey Perry seconds earlier. That hit neither drew a penalty in the game, nor any sort of action from the NHL office. While Wisniewski’s effort was certainly more badass than Seabrook’s (and probably a charge, since Seabrook didn’t have the puck), that’s not an 8-game hit. Chicago’s listing Seabrook as day-to-day, which could probably be said about half the guys in the league at this time of year. Video and more after the jump.
There are only so many ways I can say, “When the league decides to take enforcement of its rules away from the players, the players become less accountable and start acting like soccer players.” And that, in my opinion, is what has happened. Seabrook took a piece out of somebody, didn’t get called and then sold the retaliation to get a call. I’m impressed with this new Let’s Get Every Other Player In The League As We Head To The Playoffs strategy; it looks like that they could actually pull it off.
Thanks to Hockey Webcast, again, for the vid.
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It’s not a charge because Seabrook didn’t have the puck, it’s a charge because he CHARGED in for the hit from the face-off circle. It’s INTERFERENCE because he didn’t have the puck.
The first hit on Perry by Seabrook was a hockey hit, Perry turned his back while the hitter was already committed. The second hit was an attempt to injure for revenge. Big difference. I would’ve been happier to see 10+ games.
“…and then sold the retaliation to get a call…”
False. Quit listening to the announcer Brian Hayward to form your own “opinion”. Nothing was being sold.
That wasn’t him selling anything, that was his brain disconnecting briefly. Seabrook did not return to that game and did not play Thursday against the Kings. He’s probably actually hurt and that would be his second concussion in 5 months if it is indeed that.
If they were being like soccer players, he’d have rolled around for a while grabbing his shin, limped off the ice for about 15 seconds while the trainer applied “the magic sponge”, then came back just as strong as before to loud boos from the opposing fans.
it doesnt matter what it was its a head shot and he skated full speed from the blue line…a defender who goes into the oppositions goal line is head hunting for someone…he knew what he was doing just pissed he was traded by the blackhawks! and second this picture is dumb the wrong one to show, show the picture when his feet are in the air and his hands are pushing seabrooks face into the boards
He got what he deserved. Thats how hockey works.
Boarding/interference gets superceded by intent to injure. That’s a game and gross misconduct and should get a suspension. Judging by the way Wiesnewski hit him, he’s lucky he didn’t get 12-20 games.
Absolutely a penalty, the dude skated from the blue line and left his feet to hit a guy without the puck…judging from the first pic, he could have gotten a high stick, his stick is straight up in the air
anybody want to tell me what the difference was between this incident and Bertuzzi’s? I mean besides the indefinite suspension Bertuzzi received and then sucking the NHL’s schlong to get back into the league…anyone? anyone?
i’d rather you just ripped hockey than tried to act like you understand it. you couldn’t be more wrong about this, but i’m not going to take the time to explain it to you.
Seabrook totally sold that call. had he been KO’d his head would have slammed on the ice. He made a conscious effort to keep that from happening.. Seabrook would have gotten a penalty on the head shot on Perry except Perry is a man and can take his hits. 8 games is waay too much for this. Bettman is a piece of shit
1) Perry has the puck when he gets hit, making him a legit target for physical play according the rules of the game.
2) Seabrook does not even touch the puck before he gets hit, nevermind being in possession recently enough to be fair game.
3)Aside from the obvious charge, leaving his feet, and hitting a player without the puck, Wiesnewski pretty clearly lays a Pronger-worthy elbow into Seabroook’s cheek to finish his check.
Seabrook got Wizzed on.
I love hockey. They let their players settle it right on the ice. The hit on Perry was hit mostly on the shoulder, then the head. The BIG hit was at aimed at the head, and then driving the head into the boards. Oh, and I’m told hockey players can hit pretty hard, for whatever that’s worth.
Punte, while I disagree completely with your analysis, it’s cool that you mention hockey in your blog. Lets have some more positive posts about hockey. There were some nice goals and nice hits displayed last night.
“The irony of the play is that Seabrook delivered almost the exact same hit on Anaheim’s Corey Perry seconds earlier.”
No he didn’t. First, Perry span around to try and draw a penalty at the last second. Second, Seabrook didn’t leave his feet, nor did he charge, nor did he use his elbow to hit Perry. I think you could possibly argue that there could have been an interference call on Seabrook.
Wisniewski’s hit on Seabrook was a lot of things. It was a charge, as he went full speed from the blue-line to hit Seabrook. It was interference as Seabrook did not have the puck at all. It was a borderline elbow and an attempt to injure as Wisniewski left his feet and was clearly trying to pay Seabrook back for his hit on Perry. He also went for the head, and should have also been called for highsticking, as there is no excuse for his stick to be up that high pre-hit.
My biggest problem is the suspension. The only reason why James W got so many games is become the American media is watching. Headshots are a touchy issue these days, and the NHL are on damage control. There is no sincerity to this whatsoever. If the US media wasn’t watching, like they weren’t a month ago, Wisniewski gets maximum 3 games. What concerns me is that once the US media turns its attention to something else, the NHL will go back to its old, archaic ways. These headshots have been a problem since the days of Pat Lafontaine. After the NHL does the same song and dance, they resort to their old ways. It’s bullshit, and a reason why it’s hard to take them seriously as a business and at their word.
I wonder if you had posted a video with the Chicago local broadcast, would everything in this post be exactly the opposite?
When Marc Savard wakes up in six to eight months and somebody shows him this video, he’s gonna call that Seabrook guy a total pussy.
Please stop posting things about hockey. I’d rather hear nothing about it than your attempts to sound intelligent on the sport.
Bob Murray, the GM of the Ducks is a certified drunk. He got pulled over so many times in Niles, IL that the cops would literally drive him home. That plus the fact they are out of the playoffs should tell him to shut his mouth, but he was probably drunk again when he made his stupid comments. Have another jagerbomb you alcholic loser! Your liver is screaming for mercy.
his brain was not disconnected. if he were truly unconscious, he wouldn’t have been able to keep his head from hitting the ice. which it did not.