Peverley took the hit, Backstrom gets the ban./By S. Bradley
Nice, try Dale Hunter. But this time, NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan saw right through your propaganda.
Shanahan tonight announced a one-game suspension for Washington center Nicklas Backstrom. The star playmaker and overtime hero of Game 2 was assessed a match penalty for cross checking Bruins forward Rich Peverley after the final horn of Boston’s 4-3 Game 3 victory Monday night.
Here’s Shanahan’s explanation:
Earlier today, Hunter was asked about planning for life without Backstrom. But the Capitals head coach, who was also one of the dirtiest players in NHL history with Quebec and Washington, tried to sell a bill of goods that included the notion Backstrom was defending himself.
“No, because I don’t think he’s going to be suspended,” Hunter said. “If you slow it down, frame-by-frame, where was [Peverley]‘s stick? It was up in his face first. If you watch, just go back and re-watch it again — [Peverley's] stick is up in his face and Nicky, because of the stick in his face and the guy put his stick up like that, Nicky reacted to it.
“I think he was trying to protect his face. If you watch it, the stick is right in his eyes. It is a dangerous play on their part. Especially for him, if you notice every scrum Nicky comes out with no helmet on. He gets blockered to the head by [Tim] Thomas in the game before, so he’s protecting his head. He just came off of [missing] 40 games. You have to protect your head. With [Peverley's] stick being in his face like that, it is a dangerous play on his part.”
It should be noted that Hunter referred to Peverley as David Krejci on first reference and then never mentioned Peverley by name. Even Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault knows that if you’re going to make up excuses for your players’ poor behavior, you should at least know all the players’ names.
Anyway, Game 4 is Thursday night and the Capitals will not have their second-line center. This could mean more ice time for Jay Beagle, who has been a thorn in the Bruins’ sides this series, and possibly a return to the lineup of ex-Bruins forward Mike Knuble, who has been scratched for three games so far.
Meanwhile, the Bruins better be on their best behavior because the league will no doubt be looking to even things out, both during and after Game 4. That means no illegal retaliation from Milan Lucic against Karl Alzner and nothing other than hockey from the rest of the roster.
In addition, the Bruins are going to be under intense pressure to get this victory and go up 3-1. The Caps will be looking to “Win One For Nicky” and really have nothing to lose now that they have an excuse this large. The Bruins have to bear down and make sure not to take the Caps lightly because they have a golden opportunity to close out this series early and get some much-needed rest before Round 2.
btw David, wasn’t Schenn’s body check to the body? Asham had no business cross checking anyone to the throat.
This is typical in hockey now. Land a clean check, and the goon gets a free cheap shot.
As for Weber, that was completely bush-league. There’s an automatic suspension if you instigate a fight with less than 5 minutes to go but you can get away with hammering someone’s face into the boards with your hand twice and only pay 2500$.
Shannahan has lost his mojo.
PCL/MCK, I couldn’t agree more and have been saying it the whole series! I haven’t slowed down any of the face offs to see exactly what is going on but something is. I did notice that lineup stuff you spoke off tho. I’m going to watch closer tonight.
Boj, I had to laugh at the folding chair thing, that was good. I love how this first round has gone in all games, except for the cheap headshots with elbows or sticks. Those are all completely unnecessary. Just watch Seids/Ovie go at it every game. That’s what it’s all about, except for the one high xcheck Ovie had I think in Game 2.
I really don’t think Shanahan had any other option but to leave the suspension in place. He is already in hot water on the inconsistency of the Stars/nonStars and the disciplinary handouts he’s given.
Let’s go B’s!
Bojangles I see your point and agree. I hate the stick work and love toe to toe but you know why that does not happen it’s the modern day equipment. Half shields, huge shoulder pads, and bigger elbow pads makes these guys feel invincible especially the dirty player to begin with. A lot of these concussions to players is because they feel so protected they forgot the number one rule we were all taught keep your head up and wham their down for the count. I really think it is an equipment issue watch a college game on tv and see how high these guys go into corners with there sticks, or after the whistle blows it just a stick fest. Bigger and more equipment brings up the sticks. I read an article about an old Ranger Ron Dugay who played with out a helmet. When asked if he would today he said he would wear a hemlet with a full mask cause the players now a day have no respect for the head or where there sticks are.
C’mon Terry. Everyone loves physical play, but sticks to the face, and Torres hit are over the line. Plain and simple. Got toe-to-toe and duke it out like a man, but give me a break with crosschecks to the face, and WTF was Weber doing? Is this the WWF? When are they going to break out the folding chair?
The wars that Siedenberg and Ovi are having (minus the cross-check to the face) are what hockey is about.. not the bull-crap we’re seeing in this first round. I feel the same way with diving and the crap that Vancouver was trying to pull last year with the finger-biting and whining. I for one want to see the diving penalty come back with a vengence.
Terry, why I disagree with you is because I like HOCKEY – I like to watch the best players. The league could put together an Olympic level lineup with the players that are on the shelf with concussions. Hard, agressive play – I’m all for it. But keep it below the head!
I hear everyone but still I am just loving the pure spirit with which teams are competing right now. Sticks, elbows, face in glass these are not new moves people. I for one do not want to see the refs calling everything and stopping play every 30 seconds cause some one got a love tap. These are highly skilled and paid athletes that damm well know the risks involved in the game. While some times accidents, and yes tragades occur as a fan let the boys play again this is nothing new folks.
[...] center Nicklas Backstrom due to a one-game suspension for cross checking Rich Peverley in the head, Washington head coach Dale Hunter came out with the claims that Backstrom was protecting himself and that the Bruins were targeting Backstrom’s head in [...]
Did anyone notice the Pittsburgh suspensions? It seems like Neal should have gotten 4 games given his repeat offender status, the fact he ran two players, and that he did it with intent to injure… Asham had intent to injure, but at least he was responding to something stupid Schenn did and got carried away. He’s a physical player too, but has no history yet gets 4 games? That’s a definite bias to stars, just like Weber only getting a fine. At least Shanaban got one suspension right with Backstrom.
Beagle is definitely getting away with something
Some hate for the opponent has finally crept into this series…just what the Bruins needed!
I agree with George, there has been a little too much stick work by the Caps. Hopefully this suspension will stop that, and stop any possible Bruins retaliation.
The Bruins must keep playing with emotion and physicality. If so, the Bruins will close out this series more sooner than later.
Capitals stickwork has been pretty questionable the whole series. I like the rough stuff as much as anyone but the line has been crossed too many times this post-season for me. The Shea Weber incident, refs letting games get out of hand, star players avoiding penalties, and now Torres sends Hossa to the hospital. Shannahan brought this on himself by being really strict in the pre-season and then backing off as the year went on, and ultimately not suspending Weber has made everyone discredit rulings no matter what he does.
Terry – I definitely agree that the intensity and excitement of these playoffs has been great so far. However, some of the cheap shots have to end! Starting with Weber smashing zetterbergs face in to the glass, Neal running around looking to hurt someone, Torres’ hit yesterday that reminded me a lot of the hit Horton took last year, etc. there is a line separating rivalry play and dirty play, and right now its over that line.
Is it just me, or is Beagle cheating on every face-off he takes? His feet are within the marks, but his stick is almost on the outside of the dot on the opposite side, yet almost every draw he takes, a Bruin gets tossed. It’s been driving me crazy!
The opening round of these playoffs has got to be the most exciting, intense, play we have seen in a long time. Fans are loving it, players are fired up, league is fired up, only the serpent crawling media is against it. People I have talked to that don’t even follow the game say wow I saw Philly v Pengs is this what it’s like every game. No is the awnser but we have a lot of committed teams that want to win a cup and giving it their all. To the media that are calling these palyoffs a circus he’s a question? do you like or need your job ? Old and new fans are into these series like never before and thats called a good thing. All of these “incidents” have been going on this the begining of time it’s called a riverly which is alo a good thing for this sport. I for one hope the intensity and compete levels stay the same. Sure some will cross the line(again not a new concept) and they will be punished etc.. As fans of the NHL we need to support the intensity of these playoffs to help grow the sport and keep it going. So far the NHL players in these playoffs are pulling there weight, it’s time the “HOCKEY” media pulls their’s.