This might be the weirdest play injury that I’ve seen in a VERY long time. It would be insanely funny if it wasn’t for the apparent severity of Tomas Vokoun’s injury. Check out the video that should be making the rounds all day. It’s not the breakaway move by Ilya Kovalchuk, nor is it the rebound that is lazily buries for his 15 goal of the season. After the goal is scored, keep your eye on Florida Panthers defenseman Keith Ballard and his best Albert Pujols impression. Maybe that’s a bad example—how about Marty McSorley? You know, except for the fact that he clubbed his own teammate!
There’s no question that superstars are treated differently than average players. It’s not a problem that’s isolated to the NHL—as LeBron James is treated differently than Stephen Jackson; A-Rod is treated differently than Wilton Guererro; and Tiger Woods is treated differently than anyone else on the planet. So when one of the best players in the sport is involved in a questionable hit and is thrown out of the game, it’s important to remember that the circumstances are different.
Take a look at the hit that Alexander Ovechkin delivered on Tim Gleason and judge for yourself if he should face punishment from the league offices. Ovechkin—who was injured on the play—was given a 5 minute major and a game misconduct. Was that too much for a play that is questionable? Was it not enough for a guy that is started to pile up the questionable hits? Should reputation figure into the decision-making process? Would we even be having this conversation if a role-player made knee to knee contact with an opponent?
There are plenty of angles to take into account when you look at this hit. As it stands now, Ovechkin could be getting an MRI on his knee and looks like he could miss time with his injury. Will that play into Colin Campbell’s decision-making process?
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Dude, if I was Vokoun (of course I’d rather be Marty! Broduer??? or Marty? Turco?????) I would take my goalie stick, and in the locker room, ask Keith B to kindly remove his helmet, and then hack away….
No reason for Ballard to whack his stick on the pipes because he’s FRUSTRATED??? Dude, your on Defense!!!! Pick up your game, not your stick!!!! The pipes are there for the the goalie to tap at the beginning of each period for good luck!!!! Not to be on the receiving end of an unfortunate accident.