That’s right, I’m making this post. You might be asking yourself why. I’ll tell you. I was at the game last night and unfortunately I missed the hit and they didn’t show a replay in the arena (with good reason). Obviously Green was injured on the play and there was talk of a suspension for Koci immediately. In my search for a video of the hit I found a good amount of discourse about it. Some of it was coherent, some of it was foaming at the mouth.
Video after the jump.
*UPDATE* Koci was not suspended for the hit but he was fined by the NHL.
Here is the video:
First, yes it was boarding. The ref put his hand up to call the penalty right away. Second, it wasn’t that bad of a hit. Honestly, the more I watch it the less it looks like boarding. I still think it was the right call though. It was a hard hit, and Green was injured on the play, but he turned into the boards before he got hit. If he doesn’t turn into the boards, it’s a no call and he probably doesn’t get his face crushed against the glass and get cut. That of course does not change the fact that Koci hit him from behind and came in from the face off circle.
The factors that, to me at least, all but guarantee at least a 2 game suspension for Koci. But I’ve seen dirtier hits go without calls. Not to mention the countless clean hits that result in worse injuries, like a concussion. Thankfully Green seemed fine after the game and despite his eye being swollen shut, he doesn’t have a concussion.
Know what kind of hits are worse? Knee to knee hits, like the one Ovechkin put on Gleason on November 30. Fourtunately both players weren’t seriously injured, but that’s the kind of hit that can leave guys out of the line up for a few days, or weeks if it’s more than a sprain or bruise.
Worse still, that wasn’t the first knee to knee hit that Ovechkin has made. Let’s rewind to the second round of the playoffs last season when Ovechkin went knee to knee on Gonchar. Watch the video in the post in the link and tell me that wasn’t a deliberate knee hit.
Capitals coash Bruce Boudreau was obviously upset about the hit and made as much clear in his comments to the press.
“Please, the guy’s got one goal in six years. He couldn’t play in the American League,” Boudreau said. “I’ve faced David Koci an awful lot, he might be a nice guy, I have no idea. I’m glad he’s making a living, but if this is any game, he gets on the ice for the first three minutes, he gets into his fight with the guy and then he sits at the end of the bench, so what good is he?
“It shows what we have to get rid of to have a good game. The guys that are sitting at the end of the bench and they come out and hit a guy for the sake of ‘I’ve got to run around like an idiot or I’ll never play again’ — those are the guys we’ve got to get rid of.”
Related posts:
- Return of the Duke
- Peter Budaj, David Koci Re-signed
- Wilson Injured **Updated w/video**
- Darren Haydar Goes To The Show + Game Notes *Updated*
- Avs vs. Ducks – Pregame *Updated*
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[...] Well, relax, it isn’t so. At least some of Denver is remaining calm about this hit. [...]
You think that Ovie's hit was worse? An accidental knee hit vs. a head injury causing a concussion. You have got to be kidding! His hit was deliberate and he knew what he was doing – his only job is to be an enforcer, not a player like the others.
First, Green didn’t get a concussion. Second, he wasn’t even suspended, only fined. Ovi was suspended two games for his LAST knee to knee. As in he does it fairly routinely. Ovi is an incredibly skilled player, but he won’t pull a hit, even a knee to knee.
Ovi has a hot temper and is not afraid to hit anyone. He got a game misconduct for boarding Patrick Kaleta in the game before his knee on Gleason that earned him his suspension. Was that an accident as well?
You're telling me that you think this was an accident? Ovie could have ended both of their careers. Did you even see the hit?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCH2S1ve1xg
True, Koci's role is an an enforcer. And he is also out there to get the energy going. Say what you will about this but Mike Green was back at practice the next day and even the NHL didn't think it was worth a suspension:
http://blogs.denverpost.com/avs/2009/12/17/no-s...
Way to be the voice of reason.
What is your take on the whole situation? Both Ovie and Koci?
Actually I don't really have a problem with either of them. But I don't think some of my fellow bloggers agree with me too much, I wrote this http://hockeyindependent.com/blog/?p=7860 and got a few comments. I would have to agree that Ovi has a tendency to be reckless but I don't think he is out to end anyone's career.
That was a nice objective write up you have there. I like the comments too. This is obviously something that people are divided about but you see hits like that a million times where nobody gets hurt and the game goes on.
I think it's unfair to vilify Koci for trying to turn the game around with some energy. There was 5 minutes left in the 2nd period which translates into plenty of time for the young Avs to get some goals. We all know Theo is a head case(don't get me wrong, I liked him a lot) that falls apart when the chips are down in a game.
And I didn't mean to say Ovie was intentionally trying to end someone's career, but to merely say that hits like that are just as dangerous as it has the potential to do serious damage as well. And I've seen nothing about a concussion for Mike Green although he had a nice cut when he left the ice.
And everyone can say what they will about it but the NHL ruled for Koci, meaning they didn't think it was dirty.
First, Green didn’t get a concussion. Second, he wasn’t even suspended, only fined. Ovi was suspended two games for his LAST knee to knee. As in he does it fairly routinely. Ovi is an incredibly skilled player, but he won’t pull a hit, even a knee to knee.
Ovi has a hot temper and is not afraid to hit anyone. He got a game misconduct for boarding Patrick Kaleta in the game before his knee on Gleason that earned him his suspension. Was that an accident as well?
Very nice write up. Couldn't agree more with Cherry's rules. Like I said in the post, hockey is a contact sport, hits are part of the game. Most hits will be clean, some won't be. You can argue intent all day long but it's all but impossible to say there was or was not intent in most situations.
I agree that Ovi isn't out to end anyone's career, but at the same time I don't think he'll feel to terrible if a guy misses a game or two after a hit. He is a passionate player, and has incredible skill and a lot of strength to go with it. Players need to just keep their head up when he's on the ice.
Objective? Ah crap I was going for the defend my Avs player no matter what he does angle. Not really, but i think some people might have thought that.
It was great to get all the comments, glad you guys liked it!
Yeah, Ovi is one-of-a-kind. Don't know too many people that wouldn't take him for their team. But he does play like a maniac, or idiot if you prefer to use Bruce's words. Still, I'd take him anyday.
Hey, it's cool you guys have a team going here, always lots of content. My 'team' is lazy! lol
Objective? Ah crap I was going for the defend my Avs player no matter what he does angle. Not really, but i think some people might have thought that.
It was great to get all the comments, glad you guys liked it!
Yeah, Ovi is one-of-a-kind. Don't know too many people that wouldn't take him for their team. But he does play like a maniac, or idiot if you prefer to use Bruce's words. Still, I'd take him anyday.
Hey, it's cool you guys have a team going here, always lots of content. My 'team' is lazy! lol