When did it become practice to assess a penalty to a player because a player gets injured? These refs blow fat ones on a regular basis. Detroit was assessed 11 minutes in garbage penalties in the first period alone. Even control in Toronto said it was legal hit. These refs are a bunch of gong shows
The call against Kronwall was over the top, the puck went through Havlat's feet before he was crushed. Bad time to look down for the puck.
But never fear, three straight against the Hawks in the second so far. So the evening out has begun.
The hit looked perfectly legal to me as well. It was unfortunate that Havlat was injured, but that doesn't mean Kronwall should have been penalized for it.
Nice to see the Hawks avoid going down 3-0 with the overtime winner.
A two minute penalty would have been sufficient. Ejecting him from the game for "interference" is plain dumb, especially when there was no initial call on the play.
A two minute penalty would have been sufficient. Ejecting him from the game for "interference" is plain dumb, especially when there was no initial call on the play.
I agree two minutes would have been enough, but honestly, it was more of just bad luck, if havlat wasn't looking for the puck, nothing would have happened b/c he would have braised for the hit, Also the puck was there, so Kronwell didn't do anything wrong. can't wait see the hitting in game 4, these two teams haven't like each other for more than 80 years and I don't see things getting better now.
The interference, and a major at that, I believe is a new rule this season that has been called several times. It was implemented to protect players that were getting crushed when they didn't have the puck. But in this case, the hit was made because the puck was at his feet, and should have had it. The penalty was more a knee jerk reaction to a player being injured. Sorry, and much as I advocate penalties/suspensions for cheap hits, this was not one.
__________________ Penguins Fan living in Sabreland
Okay, I did a little research on the NHL.com site. The justification for this penalty(now realize that I don't necessarily agree with it) is as follows.
First from rule 56 in regards to interference:
Quote:
Possession of the Puck:
The last player to touch the puck, other than the goalkeeper, shall be considered the player in possession. The player deemed in possession of the puck may be checked legally, provided the check is rendered immediately following his loss of possession.
So by a "strick" interpretation of the rule, since Havlat never touched the puck, Kromwall's was not allowed to hit him and hence the hit was interference. This is the part that is really gray, because although he never touched the puck, the puck went right through his feet as he tried to play the puck. Kromwall simply assumed that he was going to play the puck, but didn't. That's what most, including me, have a hard time with.
In addition are the following addendums:
Quote:
56.4 Major Penalty - The Referee, at his discretion, may assess a major penalty, based on the degree of violence, to a player or goalkeeper guilty of interfering with an opponent (see 56.5).
56.5 Game Misconduct Penalty – When a major penalty is imposed under this rule for a foul resulting in an injury of an opponent, a game misconduct shall be imposed.
So in essence, once the original interference call was made, based on the fact that due to the interference a player was injured, a major penalty was given.
It comes down to that possession thing, which leaves SOOOOO much leeway it is not funny.
__________________ Penguins Fan living in Sabreland
By the book, it was illegal since Havlat hadn't touched the puck. I personally see it as a grey area, but if they had to call a penalty, then it should have been a two minute minor, like it would have been called if A) the refs were calling things and B) Havlat got right back up.
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