C’mon Man! Phaneuf Didn’t Deserve That!

     I can’t believe that Dion Phaneuf got five minutes and a game misconduct for a hit last night.  Sabres forward Zack Kassian turned his back and Phaneuf nudged him in an attempt to get the puck.  If you wanted to give two minutes for boarding, okay, I can accept that.  But even then, Phaneuf didn’t leave his feet.  A two minute cross checking penalty would have been the correct call I think.  I concede that the Leafs’ PK is horrible, but this poor call impacted the outcome of what was otherwise an excellent hockey game.

What do you think?  Didn’t see the hit?  Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSI4pWn1H1M

…and that is the last word.

7 Comments

1. 

   B.Kerr

   December 17, 2011 at 11:09 pm

   Pure hit from behind, 2 feet from the boards.

   Lucky he didn’t get a fine or suspension on top of that.

   You can’t hit a guy in the numbers.

   Reply
2. 

   B.Kerr

   December 17, 2011 at 11:13 pm

   Also Carl, if you read the rule book… you’d see that the thing that part of the reason this is elevated from minor to major is the injuries to Kassian’s face on the play.

   Maybe it shouldn’t be the rule, but it is.

   Reply
3. 

   Anonymous

   December 18, 2011 at 12:50 am

   Either way, it wasn’t boarding. Cross-checking Yes, boarding no.

   And the cut was from Kassian hitting the glass. Phaneuf didn’t hit him there.

   Reply
4. 

   B.Kerr

   December 18, 2011 at 1:02 am

   Rule 41 Boarding

   41.1 Boarding – A boarding penalty shall be imposed on any player or goalkeeper who checks or pushes a defenseless opponent in such a manner that causes the opponent to hit or impact the boards violently in the boards. The severity of the penalty, based upon the impact with the boards, shall be at the discretion of the Referee.

   41.5 Game Misconduct Penalty – When a major penalty is imposed under this rule for a foul resulting in an injury to the face or head of an opponent, a game misconduct shall be imposed.

   Reply
5. 

   B.Kerr

   December 18, 2011 at 1:05 am

   Cleary if you read the rule book you’ve got a checklist here.

   Pushes a defenseless opponent in such a manner as to cause the opponent to impact the boards violently.

   Injury to the face or head of the opponent as a result of the violent collision with the boards.

   Ref made the right call… 5 minutes plus a game misconduct.

   Thats your NHL rulebook lesson of the day…. and thats the last word.

   Reply
6. 

   Grant

   December 18, 2011 at 4:32 am

   you cant close a comment post by saying “and thats the last word!” lol I happen to agree with Carl. I watched the game, no 5-minute major! Well under the rules maybe it was… but maybe it shouldn’t be a B.Kerr/Brendan Shanahan/Judge Dredd/NHL rule book sort of rule. Maybe there should be more discretion there, and also, if you have the puck you shouldn’t be considered “defenseless”. Every team uses the cycle these days, even if it’s only the third or fourth lines. And the cycle usually consists of all three forwards receiving the puck in offensive positions, in the offensive zone, while completely facing the boards. Are these players untouchable? Can you not hit these players? There are two other ways to play defense against these players; one involves clutching and grabbing, the other, the can opener. Both illegal. I’m not asking for a solution, just some discretion.

   Reply
7. 

   B.Kerr

   December 18, 2011 at 3:12 pm

   You cant hit a guy from behind and run his head into the boards. This is what the league is cracking down on.

   So yes… if a guy has the puck and is facing the boards, hitting him is not an option.

   But your assertion that you can’t play defence against him is also faulty.

   A guy can’t do damage with his back to the play and on the boards… you contain him there.

   If he turns around to try and cut to the net, or make a play with the puck you can hit him then. If he tries a backhand pass, you should be cutting down his passing lane to the middle of the ice. If he tries to skate by you along the boards, he’s gonna open himself up for a hit.

   You contain him and wait for your opportunity… you can play defence on a guy without drilling him from behind in a vulnerable position, when he’s 2 feet away from the boards (like Kassian was).

   These hits from behind, when the guy is 2 feet from the boards are the most dangerous hits in hockey… even more dangerous than the head shots. When a buy falls face first into the boards violently like that he could break his neck… like Erik Cole did in Carolina, and there have been a number of incidents in college, junior, AHL, etc… that have led to paralysis in these cases.

   2 feet from the boards, hitting the numbers… thats the first thing they teach kids in minor hockey when hitting is introduced. Its why all the minor hockey teams have the stop sign on their back. Its dangerous.

   But no that doesn’t mean you just turn your back to the play and you can’t be defended… a good defender can contain to the outside. And if you score on a backhand from the boards, well your team needs a better goalie.

   Reply