Ovechkin deserved more than 2 games
Personally, I thought Alex Ovechkin deserved double the two-game suspension he received on Monday for shoving Brian Campbell into the boards from behind on Sunday.
Maybe if his name wasn’t Ovechkin, the NHL might have handed down a tougher suspension. Then again, I actually expected the league to do nothing because of the name on the back of the jersey.
Two games is better than none.
Now the Blackhawks must go about replacing Campbell, who suffered a broken collarbone and possible fractured ribs from Ovechkin’s hit.
It won’t be easy to do.
Campbell has his critics among fans, but a lot of that has to do with his $7.1 million salary. The truth is, Campbell is a key reason the Hawks play like they do. His speed on the back end and ability to skate the puck out of trouble is something than can’t be replaced.
Campbell was having a terrific season – plus-18 with 31 points – but Ovechkin ruined that with one careless and disrespectful shove.
The maddening part is Ovechkin’s attitude when it comes to the reckless way he plays and dishes out dangerous hits. It’s never his fault.
Maybe this will cause a few writers to re-think their MVP votes. I know I will. I still might cast my vote for Ovechkin, but all of a sudden Sidney Crosby, Henrik Sedin and Ryan Miller are looking a lot better.
It's a shame that the blackhawks can't win when they have the refs throw out the best caps player and then whine that the suspension isn't enough. hawks are done and their fans show how sad it is with this blog...
on their team. 'Hawks players that mix it up also do so by dropping the mitts too. Everyone knows Ovechkin plays dirty and you know what? What comes around goes around. He'll get his. It may not and likely not come from the 'Hawks since they're in opposite conferences. And no way would it happen in the finals unless the 'Hawks are up big late in the clinching game, on home ice. It may not be for a couple seasons, but then again it may come in the 1st playoff round this year. But it will happen.
The 'Hawks are now missing a top-3 d-man for the rest of the season and this commie gets a slap on the wrist. That's OK. Hey if you see Ovi, tell him to keep his head up. And tell the sissy to drop the gloves and not have other guys fight for him. If he wants to play on the edge the way he does, he will have to answer the bell; sooner or later.
I'm not worried about the 'Hawks play right now. Starting with game #83 is when it will really count. I have all the confidence in the world in Quenneville. How 'bout you for your coach?
Are you guys as confident coming out of your conference as we are coming out of ours?
I'd say, "see you in the finals" but the odds-on bets out of the Wales conf in my opinion are the 'guins or Devils.
Yes, the suspension should have been longer....2 games is nothing!! We lose one of our top defensemen for the season and all this guy gets is 2 games. The worst part is, this isn't a team like STL or DET we have a rivalry with and play them all the time. We play WAS maybe once a year or every couple years so revenge won't really play a part in what happens. I agree with anyone on this blog who says theref's call kept us from getting in Ovechkin's face. Would have loved to see Burish, Ladd, or Brouwer get a chance at a clean hit, but thanks to the NHL, they can't.
Ovechkin was surprised and says he was "disappointed" by the NHL's decision to suspend him for his hit on Chicago's Brian Campbell.
No questioning Ovechkin's talent and it's ok to play with and edge, but pushing a defenseless player with his back to the boards and the puck already off his stick is reckless and classless, but Ovechkin as good at cheap shots as he is with hockey shots. Nobody should have been surprised that he would hit a smaller guy from the behind; he’s been doing that for years.
Woody, way off base, no real “man” does that crap. Yeah he can get a short rest and he can think about the next cheap shot you say he’s always receiving.
Should the Blackhawks be disappointed about the 3 goals the Caps scored absolutely, pretty disgusting, but they didn’t react with a cheap shot on any Caps player either.
The best thing that comes out of this is $220K the players in need association will receive from his loss of pay.
to your question re: the Hawks record since that game on January 9th in Minnesota -
Their record including both overtime wins and losses is 13-10 totaling 23 games.
7 of those wins and 9 of those losses were in regulation.
What Blackhawks fans should really be whining about is that the Caps scored three goals in a three-minute span and came back to beat your team in overtime in your house WITHOUT Alex. Ovi can rest for two games. The Caps are 6-2 during his previous supensions.
And all the people crying for revenge should look at YouTube. Ovi gets the dirty treatment from every team he faces. He just takes it like a man instead of whining.
Great post. Thanks for the insight. We play Washington once a year. Any team could go 6-2 if they played in Washington's division.
Maybe Keith and Seabrook logging around 30 minutes had a bit to do with the problem, moreso than Ovechkin - The Chicken Man. But no Glass Half Empty guy, its all about how bad the Hawks are. I'd rather go through this now than in a month. IF this continues, fine, you have a point. But I still see more to the open Stanley Cup window than this year. After going through last year with little adversity injury wise, this is another building block for the young core.
Tim,
Just curious as to what is the Hawks record since the January melt-down in Minnesota when then blew a 5-1 lead in the 3rd period? I'd like to believe that it can't be much above .500. It seems since that game, their confidence has not been the same. Any thoughts????????
Bking..it's 13-9-1 since Minn game..7 games have gone OT since the Minn game rec. 6-1.
I was a little worried some team might claim him just to keep the Hawks from having him. I realize that Boynton isn't Pronger but he looks like that when compared to whoever else the Hawks could call up.
I think that Ovie should have gotten 5 games. I am a fan of Alex and I continue to be despite of this incident. He is a great player to watch and I love how hard he plays the game. I think he needs to realize how his play has affected others. I am sure he doesn't mean to do these things but saying that he doesn't deserve to be suspended because Campbell just fell wrong is the wrong attitude. He needs to look at how would he like it if someone pushed him face first into the boards and broke his collarbone. Along those lines, Boudreau is just as bad. He can look at how valuable Alex is to his team and while he doesn't want Alex suspended he needs to step up as well and say it was a bad hit. He can't sit there and defend Alex and say the things he is about how clean the hit was. He should say the hit was very dangerous and in a bad spot. How can we expect Alex to realize some of the dangerous plays he makes when his coach is saying how clean they were. Then Alex just continues to just shrug things off and not make the change. I want Alex to play tough and hit because I love to watch it but he needs to be made aware of the consequences of his actions.
Some team reacts this way (before playoffs start): Several players take runs at Ovechkin throughout the game. Elbows, late hits, whatever. Let's see Bettman suspend half of a team for a playoff opener. This would serve notice to Bettman and Campbell that they are a joke. Seriously, if some team wants to make a statement....yeah, like that's going to happen...(but) ...it's what needs to happen.
Maybe the little stick push was not much to Campbells leg, but then the push from behind too ! Ov put campbell into the off balance point , I would like to know what Troy Brouwer said to Ovechkin as he was being led off the ice from the penalty box to the dressing room on the ice when he skated up to him . The ref and Ovechkin really did not even turn their heads tho , as far as I could see on the replay
...for an autograph?
If Ovechkin was a Hawk the fans would love him! His style would be called old time, hard hitting Blackhawks hockey. Hawk fans are calling for his head less than a week after we were drooling over the idea that Adam Burish was back. But you are right on, Tim. I have been one of Campbells bigget critics but ONLY because of his salary. Too bad this had to happen after the trade deadline. We can't replace him.
Sorry, but I would not want some rock head out there running people into walls and getting thrown out of games early when I know I might need his goal scoring prowess later on in the game. Watch him do that in the playoffs and get thrown out. His teammates would be furious at him for putting them at a disadvantage and losing a late round playoff game.
Not to mention, he is basically all the bad things that we don't like about Versteeg, with better size and finishing ability. Meaning, he might be able to play the game all by himself, 1 against 5, but that's just not how it is supposed to be played. It is a team game and this selfish CHILD is anything but a team player.
Pete, I believe that's the way YOU feel. But if you go to a Hawks game the biggest cheers come from big hits and fights. Read what the bloggers write on a daily basis. We need an enforcer, Buff doesn't hit enough, someone needs to get back at the guy who hit so & so. Sometimes its so quiet at the UC you would think you were at the movies. I agree we wouldn't want someone who gets thrown out of games. But would fans want a 60 goal scorer that runs people into walls? Think again Pete. That's exactly what Hawk fans wish we had.
So Campbell done for the year most likely, and Alex gets 2 games..
The best part of it all is that Alex is a repeat offender, not only this year, but time after time of recklessness and injuring players, and the excuses by Washington coaches and personnel are as lame as the NHL's suspension for 2 games, and you can bet most of the players in the league see it that way as well now. Star or no star this type of Bush league nonsense is either dealt with by league officials, or its dealt with by the players eventually.
Ive been playing Hockey at all levels for a better part of my life, and one thing I can say about players like Alex Ovechkin, you better keep your head up! If the league is not going to do something REAL about it, and 2 games is not real for doing things that can possibly end players careers, then one thing you can be certain of is the players will take matters into their own hands...
Sooner or later somebody is going to step up and knock him into the next century, somebody that is not the star of their team, and can take a 20 game suspension if so handed down to...and you know what, every player on that players team and maybe even some on others, will gladly help pay the fine...if Alex wont learn the official way, then maybe he will learn, the unofficial way.
Keep your head up Alex, your time is coming!
It won't come from a Blackhawk.
First of all, let me state that I would take Ovie on my team in a heartbeat - as most here would admit to if they're really honest with themselves. In fact, Ovie reminds me of a young Roenick, albeit w/much more skill and finesse. And who wouldn't want a young JR-type player in his prime on this team?
But like Roenick - there is a certain "live by the sword, die by the sword" code that follows Ovie. I don't think he - like most players - is a "bad" guy, purposefully looking to end seasons and/or careers. This isn't Bertuzzi, for example, swinging for the fences.
However, consider accidental high stick situations: a guy follows through on a routine slap shot and clips an opponent. Totally unintended, but what do they say?? A guy's gotta be responsible for - and TAKE responsibility for - his own stick.
That's how I view this incident. Colin HAD to make the call because players must simply be aware of how dangerous a play like that can be three feet off the boards. That is a serious danger zone and much like most players understand not to run a goalie, that area needs the same level of respect.
No excuses. Ovie was being careless, I believe. Maybe he didn't even expect a strong skater like Campbell to go down, who really knows. But that doesn't change the fact that you can't pull a stunt like that with a guy with his back to you that close to the boards.
And I do agree, Ovie doesn't do himself any favors with his cavalier attitude. And that idiot Boudreau... yeah, Campbell brought it all on himself. Sure he did. What a tool.
I am a true blue Hawks fan... Wear my Hawks jersey under my Bears jersey. Simple fact the Hawks need more overall grit. Not having Pronger on the blue line might be the biggest mistake this team has made thinking the current figure skating cast can contend for the cup. Interesting watching the games and over and over again seeing the defense cough up the puck when clearing the zone if flat out ridiculous when the goaltending is then called into question. Is the current cast of net minders Tony'o, Hassek or Belfore no, but better than anybody else we have had. Lets get the returning hurt guys back in the groove, get the chemistry back and lets see what we have. Still could be a great ride... Camble would break your heart in the end, so at least we are saved from that. Look forward for the guys to step up and the great story that develops from that. Stars yet to be made!
Go Hawks!
If you believe this, "Maybe if his name wasn’t Ovechkin, the NHL might have handed down a tougher suspension", then you're part of the problem.
This league is a laughing stock - for more reasons than I can count at present - for how it handles discipline. They're totally inconsistent and that my friend sets a dangerous precedent. Here are just a few things that need to be considered if changes are to be made.
1. How the play is called on the ice shall NOT be used as a condition for disciplinary action. The Habs/Sharks game: Scott Nichol was boarded in a manner similar to Campbell. How the ref missed making that call 15-20' right in front of him, I'm amazed.
2. On ice officials have to be better equipped to assess penalties. No replay on this, simply a conversation of all four zebra's where the linesmen have just as much say as refs when it comes to penalties resulting in injury.
3. Modify league rules to allow the refs to more easily call the match penalty for boarding. This helps the refs keep order in store for the remainder of the game. Just as the era when stick infractions drastically increased, so too can league rules be adjusted to enforce bigger boarding penalties including the match penalty. The league offices cannot however make lesser discipline judgments if a match penalty is not called.
4. Suspensions in part should be commensurate with the severity of the injury. Additional games shall be added to the initial suspension based on how badly the other player was injured.
5. Repeat offenders shall be punished more for subsequent offences. Not this BS rule of, "was it more than 41 games?..."
Colin Campbell is an utter farce when it comes to handing out discipline. I fear its a manifestation of the culture Bettman brought with him when he left the NBA. The NBA caters to the star player first; it's LeBron and the Cavs or Kobe and the Lakers. Ovechkin is getting the slap-on-the-hand because he's a star. It's too bad the league went out of its way to discourage immediate retaliation. Ovechkin could use a pounding, right then and there on the ice. Players self-policing themselves had almost always worked before the "new NHL".
And one final thought, where were the other 'Hawks players on the ice? It would have been interesting to see what would have happened if Eddie Belfour was in the nets. I don't expect either of our current goalies to jump anyone, but what about the four other skaters?
This is the marketed STAR of the NHL you're talking about here. See, when Kane beat up a cabbie it was disappointing and newsworthy, but he wasn't A-list just yet. When Ovie beat up Malkin's agent however, it's just those crazy Russian stars.
Knee-to-knee - hey, no problem. That's just Alex playing tough. Alex pushing from behind - hey he's just a "big strong kid".
What a joke
The slew-foot is part of the Alex act.
The NHL is so totally adrift when it comes to suspensions that any one is immediately open to criticism because there is going to be a similar cheap shot that was or wasn't called.
I have to say, I'm surprised they gave Ovechkin even this slap on the wrist.
I know the Hawks are looking for payback. If its a Hawks/Caps Cup final, DO NOT...I repeat DO NOT do this then. Hoist the Cup in Washington, thats payback. Then, if they want to go after Ovechkin...do it during the next regular season game. If they do go for physical payback, thats so old school and not necessary for a classy, professional team thats just going through a tough spot at the moment.
Back in the day the D met overly aggressive forecheckers with cross checks and can openers. Campbell let his guard down as well as O playing the style he is famous for.
Ovechkin's hit was cheap. Plain and simple. Tazer hit the nail on the head when he said that there are certain players around the league who are simply careless in dangerous spots on the ice. The fact that people in Washington excuse the hit is just stupid. I don't think Ovechkin was trying to hurt Campbell but the bottom line was that the hit was totally unneccessary. For a player of his caliber to not have any respect for fellow players and to not have any recognition of where he's at on the ice is just dumb. The guy misinterprets physicality for cheap shots. That's all the hit was on Soupy was a cheap shot.
Maybe the NHL would think a little differently the next time Ovechkin is circling in the offensive zone and somone like Brooks Orpik drills him with an elbow instead of hitting him clean.
It all boils down to respect.
It is somewhat infuriating that Ovie still seems oblivious of what he's done.
But I find it MORE troubling that his defenders excuse the hit as thoughtless instead of viscious.
The fact that he commits violent acts without thinking just pushes him out of the gutless category into sociopath consideration.
"That's hockey," he says? No. Hockey has a code of honor. At least it used to.
The commie thing is a running gag I'm missing, right?
I'm pretty sure Ovie's not giving the stickboy half his salary.
Man, everyone's a communist or socialist these days; it's like a bad Scanners sequel. LOL.
PS. ESPN's Burnside is still a Wing-loving, Hawk-hating, tool.
Good point about Ovechkin being oblivious or indifferent to the injuries he causes. Sickening, the breathless rationalizing and fawning that this guy gets. Too bad Campbell's defense partner wasn't Behn Wilson.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0j7oN5KGuU
Manson, calls out Stevens and hammers him in a fight. That's what's needed with Ovechkin. Call him out and pound him.
3/17/91, St Patty's day. Home and home series. The 2nd of the 2 games after the 'Hawks won 3-2 in StL, the highlight a Larmer shorty, the 'Hawks 20th that season.
Heh. I remember this. Didn't the Hawks win Prez trophy in `91, then got clipped in first round?
Many of us think several games, just like that one were the 'Hawks blowing their load just a bit too soon and it resulted in that 1st round humiliation at the hands of the no-scores.
When you lose game 5 at Chicago Stadium 6-0 to an OK team after winning the Presidents Trophy, you have to take a long hard look in the mirror. Yeah, the no-scores went on to the Cup finals but there's no way a 'Hawks team with 106 pts that season should have lost to them in the 1st round.
but he wouldn't show...I don't know who it was against , but he did the 'ol take the helmet off, drop the gloves, yap, yap, yap and one of the guys from the Caps hopped onto the ice and fought for him. He's a p-ssy, pure and simple.
Daddio...I was at this game..one of the all time great fights at the old barn. Your post beat me to it, as soon as I read Behn Wilson..I said or Dave Manson..then scrolled down..to see your post of Or Dave Manson...great call..Manson is one of my favorite hawks of all time.
I wish #8 had to see one of them on Sunday before being tos'd.
If (and I know that's a big IF) we go deep into the playoffs he could see the ice again this year, or is he 100% done?
I would have given him at least four games because of the history he has even though I really don't think he intentionally hurts people. OV is as powerful as they come and plays as physical as they come so this is going to happen with him. On the other hand Matt Cooke nailing Marc Savard with a knockout elbow to the head and gets nothing is criminal. I would have given him 20 games for that one as Cooke ranks right up there with J. Ruutuu and S. Avery when it comes to jerks.
The way the league has handed out suspensions this year is amazing! Remember when Tom Lysiak got 20 games for slashing a lineman's legs out after being thrown out of the faceoff circle all game. Maybe that calls for a year long suspension today. But if you seriously hurt a player! A few games will do...What a joke...
http://jay-mariotti.fanhouse.com/2010/03/15/ovechkin-hurts-hockey-with-g...
even if he doen't know Mike Knuble IS NOT A DEFENSEMAN. But Jay makes a great point....Colin Campbell is an effing JOKE: Candy ass player, impotent adjudicator in chief.
what do you expect?
Tim, you once again hit the nail on the head.
I can't even add anything to that blog. Thats exactly how I feel.