wait, I missed another Raffi being Raffi moment?

[rares]

Aaaand, it's official:

Sharks' Torres suspended for remainder of Western Conference Semifinal series - Kings vs Sharks - 2013 SCP Conference Semifinals

Remainder of the series (weird).

I'm not impressed by the explanation video and will be even less impressed when (not if) Stoll returns to play in Game 3.

 

[dash]

Based solely on the Stoll hit, I think it's too much, but obviously prior transgressions factored heavily into the league's decision.

Edit: I have yet to see the explanation video.

 

[jstducky09]

This is what I posted on the Kings vs. Sharks thread

"honest question since there are wings fans in this thread too...

how is torres hit on stoll different than abdelkader on lydman?

in my opinion, abdelkader hit is much worse than the torres hit.

sure, torres will get his time because of his past history whereas abdelkader didn't have a history, but abdelkader leapt off the ice and the principal point of contact was the head and the injury to lydman may be worse than whatever injury stoll has."

when I watch the video of the explanation of the suspension, I don't understand how Shannahan says of the Torres hit that the "principal point of contact is with the head" even though the initial point of contact is with the shoulder. and that is one of the 3 factors in suspending him for the length of the series (i.e. a min of 3 games, a max of 6 games)

but yet, if you watch the video explanation of Abdelkader's hit, its really just called a charging with elevation and "significant head contact" but it wasn't a suspension for an illegal check to the head

I would argue that Torres and his "principal point of contact is with the head" is really less principal point of contact with the head than Abdelkader's hit which was only deemed "significant head contact"

Makes no sense to me

 

[forty_three]

Aaaand, it's official:

Sharks' Torres suspended for remainder of Western Conference Semifinal series - Kings vs Sharks - 2013 SCP Conference Semifinals

Remainder of the series (weird).

I'm not impressed by the explanation video and will be even less impressed when (not if) Stoll returns to play in Game 3.

That is pretty odd. But, it's better than some of the alternatives floated out there.

Wonder if the NHL realized that this individual hit wasn't Raffi-like and eased up. They wouldn't dream of going completely back on the ego talk, but they did let up. And keeping him out of the series makes life a bit easier on the stripes. Now they can focus on Brown's elbows.

I was really expecting 20+. 30+ would not have surprised me.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Actually, we don't. As I have said before hockey is a fast game played on a slippery surface inside a box by large men with sticks in their hands and knives on their feet. Injuries just are a fact of life.

To start punishing every hit will turn the game into soccer on ice. It is going that way with the league punishing anything borderline, the amount of diving and embellishment is way up.

So does the slippery slope of "player safety" eventually include ice (synthetic to slow it down) boards (made of memory foam) and the puck (change to tennis balls)? Full face shields would save a lot of concussions. So make that mandatory. Slapshots hurt, so no more of those. And the sticks. If picking your stick up off the ice was not allowed, everyone would be safer.

Bring back the rover, and the two line pass. Do automatic icing, and do away with touch up on offsides. Bring back the neutral zone trap. Stop calling obstruction. Clog the ice so much you can't get enough speed to get hit hard enough. Go ahead and stick the HANS device on every player. Yeah, they weigh 15 pounds, but the neck can't move.

And the goals. They should be ten feet wide. More goals from center ice means less battles in the crease. Maybe even do away with goalies altogether. Because those guys get SHOT AT.

Or better yet, turn the NHL into a life size table hockey game. Don't let anyone who could get hurt play themselves. They just operate the knobs ans switches. WATCH OUT FOR SPLINTERS!

We don't have to accept it. And I will not.

Sorry guys are getting hurt, and I think the equipment has done a phenomenal job of keeping up with the advancement in the speed and style of play - I am constantly amazed at the quality of the gear my son has compared to what I did. Obviously, I would hate him to get hurt, so I tell him to keep his head up. That and proper gear maintenance are the two biggest factors in whether or not he does.

Bottom line is no one forced these guys to play hockey. There are plenty of "safer" sports they can play. And I would not miss them.

The league needs to call it to the rules and stop coddling stars and "sending messages". THAT'S what's most dangerous right now.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

That is pretty odd. But, it's better than some of the alternatives floated out there.

Wonder if the NHL realized that this individual hit wasn't Raffi-like and eased up. They wouldn't dream of going completely back on the ego talk, but they did let up. And keeping him out of the series makes life a bit easier on the stripes. Now they can focus on ignoring Brown's elbows.

I was really expecting 20+. 30+ would not have surprised me.

FTFY

 

[rares]

Doug Wilson says Shanny is full of shit:

A Statement from GM Doug Wilson Regarding the Raffi Torres Suspension - San Jose Sharks - News

The Sharks organization fully supports the NHL in its efforts to remove illegal and dangerous hits from the game but we strongly disagree with the NHL's decision to suspend Raffi Torres.

Upon review of the incident, it is abundantly clear that this was a clean hockey hit. As noted by the NHL, Raffi's initial point of contact was a shoulder-to-shoulder hit on an opponent who was playing the puck. He did not leave his feet or elevate, he kept his shoulder tucked and elbow down at his side, and he was gliding - not skating or charging.

As stated in the NHL's Player Safety video, Rule 48.1 says, "A hit resulting in contact with an opponent's head where the head is targeted and the principal point of contact is not permitted." Thus, with the use of the word "and", this rule clearly states that two elements must occur in order to violate the rule. Raffi absolutely did not target his opponent's head on the play. The call on the ice specifically acknowledged that the head was not targeted and nowhere in the NHL's ruling does it insinuate or suggest that the opponent's head was targeted.

Furthermore, the rule goes on to say: "However, in determining whether such a hit should have been permitted, the circumstances of the hit, including whether the opponent put himself in a vulnerable position immediately prior to or simultaneously with the hit or the head contact on an otherwise legal body check was avoidable, can be considered."

As evidenced in the video, just prior to Torres making contact with the opposing player, that player altered his posture to play a bouncing puck with his hand, placing himself in a vulnerable position.

Comparing the facts of this incident against the actual wording of Rule 48.1, it appears that the NHL has not only made an inappropriate application of this rule but is trying to make an example out of a player who is being judged on past events, one who has changed his game dramatically this season and taken only six minor penalties in 39 games.

We are proud of the work Raffi has put in to successfully adjust his game. Although it's unfortunate that Jarret was injured on the play, we feel this decision is grossly unfair to the Raffi, his teammates and our fans. However, Raffi does not want to be a distraction to his teammates and has decided not to appeal this suspension and we respect that decision.

(best part -- IMO -- in bold)

 

[mattola]

was just coming to post this. wow that is awesome.....

 

[Slimpikins]

Great explanation Doug.

 

[forty_three]

Doug Wilson says Shanny is full of shit:

A Statement from GM Doug Wilson Regarding the Raffi Torres Suspension - San Jose Sharks - News



(best part -- IMO -- in bold)

Whoa. That is awesome.

So what incentive is there for a "dangerous" player to shape up? The league may have just made the game MORE dangerous.

 

[puckhead]

"Sharks have been fined $100,000 for public comments by General Manager Doug Wilson pertaining to the suspension of Raffi Torres."


coming out of Raffi's next salary if he resigns there.

 

[forty_three]

"Sharks have been fined $100,000 for public comments by General Manager Doug Wilson pertaining to the suspension of Raffi Torres."

"We do what we want"
"But you're full of shit"
"YOU'RE PUNISHED TOO, DO NOT QUESTION US!"


Stalin would be proud.

 

[puckhead]

"We do what we want"
"But you're full of shit"
"YOU'RE PUNISHED TOO, DO NOT QUESTION US!"


Stalin would be proud.

Don't forget, the first line of appeal (for which Raffi would be eligible as the suspension was for up to 6 games) is adjudicated by Bettman himself.

 

[forty_three]

Don't forget, the first line of appeal (for which Raffi would be eligible as the suspension was for up to 6 games) is adjudicated by Bettman himself.

Bettman as Judge Dredd. Awesome.

 

[devil421]

So this means the league's in the tank for the Kings. A Cup repeat would great for ratings. Any opposing teams better take note that they will be at a disadvantage.

Follow the money my friends.