Shanahan Blows it, Big Time
by AZRangerFan on Dec 31, 2011 2:21 PM EST
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Either Brendan Shanahan owed Kevin Dineen a huge favor, or the league disciplinarian was given a tape of a different Ranger-Panther game to review. Or, perhaps the league has confused itself to the point where they are no longer able to determine what is and what isn't deemed worthy of a suspension.
Whatever the case may be, Shanahan's decision to NOT suspend Tomas Kopecky for his abhorrent action in last night's game sends, to put it mildly, a mixed message to the league and in the process makes the NHL look even more ass-backwards (to steal a recent quote from John Tortorella).
The central theme of the league's endless string of disciplinary action this year has been all about "protecting" the players and trying to remove head shots from the game. So Kopecky, in frustration, turns and wallops an unsuspecting Del Zotto in the head with a right hook last night and the league doesn't consider that suspension-worthy? Wow. This one's really difficult to comprehend.
Have I been misinterpreting everything up until this point, or is the NHL right smack in the middle of a concussion epidemic that's been talked about ad nauseum since NHL poster boy Sidney Crosby got his bell rung in last season's Winter Classic?
Crosby has been absent from the game (for the most part) nearly a year now due to post-concussion symptoms, players are being diagnosed with head injuries at an alarming rate, and Shanahan's reaction to Kopecky's cheap shot on Del Zotto is to give each player a $2,500 fine? If that decision weren't so utterly reprehensible, it would be downright laughable.
Before I go any further, don't think I'm excusing Del Zotto for his part in last night's melee, as he clearly got his stick up high on Kopecky just prior to the incident. But there's a big difference between being careless with your stick and blatantly sucker-punching your opponent.
I suspect the fact that Del Zotto came away unscathed (we think) played a part in Shanahan's decision, but should that really exonerate Kopecky from his reckless behavior? Not in my opinion. Kopecky's head shot could very well have caused Del Zotto to suffer a concussion, and while it appears the Ranger defenseman escaped injury, just the mere fact that the Panther forward intentionally administered a blow to an opponent's head should have warranted a suspension and sent a message to the rest of the NHL that actions like this cannot and will not be condoned.
Sorry Shanny, but you and the league shamelessly dropped the ball on this one.
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It’s a tough call. I imagine Shanny watched the tape, saw how reckless MDZ was with his stick, saw the cheap shot didnt do much of any damage to MDZ, and essentially called it even. As a former player I believe Shanny understood the situtation at hand. It was an egregious hit from behind or anything. MDZ was reckless and deserved a bop to the head. Frankly, I think the fines were unnecessary given that both players received them. Just let them both keep that money instead of just showing that you had to do something about it. Though, I could see that doing nothing would’ve spoken louder than just giving token fines. Back to my first though… it’s a tough call.
by OhCallyMyCaptain on Dec 31, 2011 2:28 PM EST reply actions
Points taken, however I think the mere fact that Kopecky targeted Del Zotto’s head with a cheap shot should have prompted the league to take more serious action, especially in light of the current concussion “crisis” and all this talk about banning hits to the head.
Personally I think Shanahan took the easy way out. As I mentioned, Del Zotto was no innocent bystander and he was rightfully penalized for highsticking. I just find it appalling that the league claims player safety is one of it’s top priorities, wants to eliminate “head shots” from the game, and Kopecky essentially gets off scott-free after targeting an opponent’s head with a sucker punch.
That kind of punch with the glove on will not cause a concussion. It was a cheap shot and a dirty move, but it wasn’t dangerous; in fact, the only reason MDZ fell is because it caught him by surprise. Kopecky should have been suspended a game for unsportsmanlike conduct, DZ should have gotten a fine for recklessness, but there wasn’t much more than that in the play
Take it to the net and keep jamming and jamming until somebody comes on you.
- Eddie Olczyk
by Scratch and Snif on Dec 31, 2011 5:45 PM EST up reply actions
Well, I’m no doctor, but from everything I’ve read any blow to the head can potentially result in a concussion. I’m pretty sure if someone got hit hard enough (even with a glove on) it could jar the brain and, if nothing else, result in concussion-like symptoms. Luckily for MDZ and the Rangers, it doesn’t appear that Kopecky hit him flush. And thank God he didn’t hit his head on the ice or the goalpost after Kopecky clocked him.
All that aside, it just seems contradictory that, after suspending players left and right all season for supposed “head shots,” “targeting the head,” etc., the NHL doesn’t find a sucker punch to the head of an unsuspecting player worthy of a suspension. I was under the impression that the league was trying to rid the game of plays like that. Maybe they feel cheap shots are OK as long as you keep your glove on. I gave up trying to understand the NHL’s “logic” a long time ago!
Hard enough is the keyword. I’d doubt a shot like that is hard enough, but I’m not a doctor either.
Take it to the net and keep jamming and jamming until somebody comes on you.
- Eddie Olczyk
by Scratch and Snif on Jan 1, 2012 2:37 AM EST up reply actions
why cant a glove cause a concussion? its not like its a pillow (which swung hard enough could still cause a concussion)
Any sharp, rapid, hard strike to the head, with any object, can cause a concussion. its all about your brain floating in liquid in your head moving around from an outside impact.
If a punch like that could cause a concussion then every boxer ever would be dead by now, as would be all UFC fighters and anybody who’s been active in the martial arts. There’s a big difference between one of Kopecky’s 15mph punch and Holyfields’s 35mph haymakers, so if Kopecky’s punch is concussion inducing, Holyfields’s is death.
Take it to the net and keep jamming and jamming until somebody comes on you.
- Eddie Olczyk
by Scratch and Snif on Jan 1, 2012 2:35 AM EST up reply actions
Falling to the ice like MDZ did could cause a concussion, just ask Sauer. It was Sauer’s head hitting the boards, not the actual check, that did him in.
Good point
Sometimes it’s not the impact itself but the whiplash motion or what happens to the head as the player falls. Although, that side of the head/temple area is pretty vulnerable to even “light” hits.
Homo homini lupus est - Human beings are wolves to each other
boxers wear gloves to protect their hands
"There are some people who, if they don't already know, you can't tell 'em." - Yogi
by bleed'n blue on Jan 1, 2012 10:59 PM EST up reply actions
“Boxing statistics indicate approximately a 6% rate of knockouts and 1 Traumatic Brain Injury (concussion and more) per 12 rounds of competition (Brain Injury Resource Foundation 2009)”
Thats with gloved hands. So basically most boxers are being concussed frequently. So even if Kopecky is no Holyfield, he is still likely to concuss with a shot to the temple of another player, who wasn’t looking, and who then collapsed to the ice.
No, that stat would point out the opposite conclusion. I think its fair to say that Kopecky’s punch – he’s not even a fighter – is less than half as strong as that of an average boxer. No, couple that with the fact that each fighter is taking far upwards of 100 punches per 12 bout, at least 10 of which are to the head, and only 1 of the 2 is going to end up with a concussion statistically. If you compare that to the 1 weak punch Kopecky gave to a helmeted head, the chances of that alone causing a concussion are very slim.
I won’t dispute the fact that DZ’s falling to the ice could cause a concussion, i’ll only say that in the way he fell, it would be almost impossible for him to fall on his head without using his hands to protect himself.
Take it to the net and keep jamming and jamming until somebody comes on you.
- Eddie Olczyk
by Scratch and Snif on Jan 2, 2012 2:34 PM EST up reply actions
Most 10-12 round fights have about 530-600 punches thrown with about 28-40% hit rate, so if they didn’t protect their hands they would have broken knuckels after 1 fight. Heavier gloves serve to slow down puches and limit facial cuts, but hey add more mass to the square hits. Concussions happen from hits to the head, regardless of gloves or no gloves.
There’s something to be said for mouthpieces and “being prepared” for the hit, but I have no data to back that up.
"There are some people who, if they don't already know, you can't tell 'em." - Yogi
by bleed'n blue on Jan 2, 2012 11:47 PM EST up reply actions
umm, in boxing they generally don't punch eachother from behind, it is a fight
so both parties are ready to fight and defend themselves. But trust me, Mike tyson walked up behind all of his opponents and cold cocked them before the fight started when they were facing their corner talking to their trainer, a lot of them would be dead.
Ask Jeff Beukeboom
If a sucker punch with a glove on a give you a concussion. Cheapshot Johnson effectively ended his career punching him with a glove on when he was looking.
I would agree. It’s not whether the blow caused an injury or not but just the fact that the main target was clearly the head that should have warranted more disciplinary action. The NHL wants to eliminate all such headshots whether they might be injury-inducing or not.
Homo homini lupus est - Human beings are wolves to each other
It was a cheap shot and a dirty move, but it wasn’t dangerous;
That’s like saying, that girl is fat and disgusting, but not ugly….
A punch to the back of the head isn’t dangerous? So like, if I put on a glove, walk up behind you and just deck you, you will be ok with it? It’s not like Del Zotto culd have hit his head on the post or the ice or something. If Kopecky had a problem with MDZ cross checking him (Kopecky threw the first cross check btw) he could have grabbed Del Zotto by the shoulder, and punched his face like a man, not thrown a gay little punch around your back when you don’t see it coming. I wish Rupp has another couple seconds to really pummel that kids face.
A girl can be fat and sloppy but still be pretty. I really don’t see any other way to explain the minimal danger in that play. I just can’t imagine that kind of punch to the side of the head doing much damage. It’s possible that he might have hit his head on the ice; hitting it on the post is also a very valid concern that I hadn’t thought of, but no, Kopecky’s jab on its own wouldn’t cause much harm. I agree with everything from the 3rd sentence onwards.
Take it to the net and keep jamming and jamming until somebody comes on you.
- Eddie Olczyk
by Scratch and Snif on Jan 3, 2012 7:46 PM EST up reply actions
actually the gloves are reinforced in some cases with hard plastics to protect in instances of shot blocking, being hit with a hockey glove on actually hurts worse than a fist, that’s why there is a penalty in the rule book for throwing punches with gloves on, although it’s rarely ever called…
@clalicata17
Maybe Shanny took into account that no suspension could hurt as much as three blows to the head from Mike Rupp
lol, maybe. I actually watched the replay several times and Rupp really didn’t connect solidly on any of his punches since Kopecky basically cowered…you’re right, maybe at the very end Rupp snuck one in there, but Kopecky pretty much escaped unharmed. Rupp was certainly no angel in the fracas either.
I suppose if Del Zotto had been injured the league would be singing a different tune…or not. One never knows what the good ol’ NHL has up its sleeve.
the very last punch rupp got in as Kop sort of rolled backwards was straight flat fist to the bridge of the nose with a decent windup. the first few shots were defended/deflected by Kop decently. I was surprised prust didnt unleash some punches he watched the whole play go down a few feet away
I loved watching Rupp circling the net looking for Kop… the bloodlust was in his eyes.
by OhCallyMyCaptain on Dec 31, 2011 7:39 PM EST up reply actions
First of all, I am a Panthers fan (preparing for backlash) and thought Kopecky deserved and would get suspended for the punch.
Please don’t make the argument Shannahan should have banned Kopecky because he targeted the head blah blah blah the league is cracking down on head hits which are linked to concussions. If a punch is now a head hit then we better ban fighting as well.
Call it what it was, a cheap shot. Yes, still dangerous and carrying its own set of repurcussions, but this is not the same thing as Matt Cooke nailing a guy at center ice. If you will, a hit to the head is not a head hit in this scenario.
Kopecky deserved a suspension for a cheap shot sucker punch out of frustration, not because his actions could have given MDZ a concussion. Lots of things can do that.
I’m putting here for reflection later on in the season…. #14 Tomas [Fleischmann] is getting a 40G season. FLASH COUNT: 15G/19A
by RPC on Sep 17, 2011 5:20 PM MDT
Find me on Twidduh And look at my Marmots
by Chris S Roberts on Dec 31, 2011 11:35 PM EST reply actions
I don’t feel he needed to be suspended at all. That was oldschool NHL player enforced on that play. Mdz did something dumb then got a sucker punch. Kopecky then got jumped by prust, one enforcer, then drug out and smacked around by the big enforcer. I doubt he will do that play again lesson learned. I’m sure they will sink the lesson in deeper on Friday as well.
Fines are fine for this to me. It was not the really dangerous blow to the back of the head it was a sucker punch though a couple of beat down might be in order with some overly solid checking.
Can’t wait for the games this week going to be physical good games for the rangers to show some of that heart that they win with
by Pballer505 on Dec 31, 2011 11:59 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Chris,
Just a difference of opinion, that’s all. You won’t get any backlash from me. I did call it a cheap shot, and I still think Kopecky’s actions warranted a suspension. And I’m sure there are many others who don’t think he deserved a suspension, including many Ranger fans. My personal opinion is punching a defenseless player in the head is a suspendable offense and in light of the all the NHL’s talk about preventing head injuries it makes them look a bit hypocritical. Was Kopecky’s offense the "same" as some of the brutal infractions Matt Cooke has committed? Of course not, no two incidents are the same and all should be treated on an individual basis. But I also think what Kopecky did WAS dangerous and has no place in hockey. It is one thing for two players to engage in a consensual fight, and quite another for a player to sucker punch his opponent.
I got to Shanny on Twitter...
and told him about himself for this one. Not cool. The incident reminded instantly of the Jeff Beukeboom-Tie Domi incident that permanently ended Beuke’s career.
For that matter, he must have blacked out and forgotten the fight he (Shanny) and Brashear had his last year as a Ranger. He really did screw the pooch on this one. Big time.
"The winner of the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award is Number Eight, Brandon Prust!"--Ofc. Colin McDonald, NYPD, April 7, 2011
"I'm a doctor, not a barber, Jim." Dr. McCoy to Captain Kirk
"Thanks, Chris. Enjoy your retirement."
Matt Johnson knocked Bekeboom out. Domi was involved with Ulf Samuelsson iirc. Same thing, pretty much
R.I.P Derek
Rangers FTW!
by BleedsRangerBlue on Jan 1, 2012 8:49 PM EST up reply actions
As far as Kevin Dineen’s “skilled” comment.
Rupp has a hat trick (i know, i know) Kopecky doesn’t…
R.I.P Derek
Rangers FTW!
by BleedsRangerBlue on Jan 1, 2012 8:50 PM EST reply actions
Kopecky is like minus 15
with like 15 points. Super skilled.
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