Very Cheap

Posted by Dale from Toronto on 04/16/09 at 11:45 PM ET

That is Calgary Flames Hockey!

Posted by Tero from Tacoma on 04/16/09 at 11:50 PM ET

so much dirtier than Carcillo’s… except for maybe the timing. still, totally cheap.

Posted by perfection from LaLaLand on 04/17/09 at 12:03 AM ET

I’d call that a cheap shot. Though Havlat appears to have gotten to best revenge possible by scoring the game tying and game winning goals.

Posted by Nicole on 04/17/09 at 12:24 AM ET

cheap.  way cheap.  Disappointing, too.

Posted by SMV on 04/17/09 at 12:35 AM ET

I liked it. It is a playoff hockey move and a surprisingly veteran move by a guy like Cammalleri.

But yes, it is absolutely dirty and totally cheap. It reminds me of pick-up leagues where the guy leans on your stick and breaks it as soon as the puck drops. Or like in basketball when someone sacks you during a jump-ball. A little bit of veteran flair, but still if you get caught you should be punished.

Posted by Andrew Mack on 04/17/09 at 12:45 AM ET

“I liked it. It is a playoff hockey move and a surprisingly veteran move by a guy like Cammalleri.”

I’m tired of hearing “This is playoff hockey!” spewed out to defend questionable tactics. That was not playoff hockey. It was a moronic play and has no place anywhere in hockey, playoffs or not. As a veteran, he should be setting a better example.

I’m glad Havlat made him eat it by scoring two goals.

Posted by Shane from Saskatoon on 04/17/09 at 01:08 AM ET

A little bit of veteran flair, but still if you get caught you should be punished.

What type of veteran class are you thinking of? Chris Pronger class, Adam Foote class, or Claude Lemieux class?

Posted by Wild Wing from Orange County, CA on 04/17/09 at 01:28 AM ET

I’m all for hard-hitting intense hockey but I can’t imagine anyone actually being able to justify that as “just part of the game”...it’s up to the refs to control this crap.

Posted by Mike Chen on 04/17/09 at 01:53 AM ET

Yeah, I don’t think there’s even a question about this one.  I’m definitely okay with punching guys who are expecting it and are looking to punch you back, but this is unjustifiable on every level.

But hey, par for the course for the Flames playoff hockey.

Posted by Ryan from Toronto on 04/17/09 at 02:16 AM ET

Cheap sucker punch.  No doubt.

But hey, par for the course for the Flames playoff hockey.

Did you work a golf reference into the discussion deliberately?

If not, you should claim you did anyway.  Clever. 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 04/17/09 at 03:00 AM ET

Same as Carcillo’s to me, only even more brutal.  That should be at least a game.

Posted by chase on 04/17/09 at 03:07 AM ET

Definitely a one-gamer minimum.

The ultimate revenge by Havlat:  the GTG and the GWG.

Posted by SYF from a "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" on 04/17/09 at 03:10 AM ET

I don’t think it’s fair to say “that’s Flames hockey”, but I do think it’s a cheap shot for sure, and is on par with Carcillo’s inthe penguins game one, so i’m looking for at least a game suspension. But with the NHL’s record, the cynic in me is waiting for either a larger suspension, or none at all.

Steve - Pens fan

Posted by Stephen on 04/17/09 at 03:48 AM ET

But with the NHL’s record, the cynic in me is waiting for either a larger suspension, or none at all.

Probably nothing.  I think they didn’t like Carcillo’s because it was seen as “message-sending” since it was near the end of the game.  I’d be surprised if this gets anything at all.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 04/17/09 at 05:06 AM ET

im more concerned with the bad message Montreal players sent to Boston after their game. are they going to be suspended as well? that was so much dirtier than Carcillo’s and that defined “sending the message”

Posted by FlyersFan on 04/17/09 at 06:02 AM ET

How would anyone argue that isn’t a cheap shot?

Posted by MarkK from Maryland on 04/17/09 at 07:43 AM ET

im more concerned with the bad message Montreal players sent to Boston after their game. are they going to be suspended as well? that was so much dirtier than Carcillo’s and that defined “sending the message”

It would surprise me if there weren’t some suspensions and/or fines out of that.  They set a precedent with Carcill.  (Then again, when has consistency ever been a league strength?)

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 04/17/09 at 07:45 AM ET

I agree, it was the same as Carcillo’s, just at a different moment in the game, and in this case, there was actually a penalty called.

Posted by phillyd from New Jersey on 04/17/09 at 07:56 AM ET

Everybody knows Calgary is the dirtiest team in the Conference. This is typical. He should be suspended for a head shot and beaten to a pulp in his next game.

Posted by kevin from boston on 04/17/09 at 08:15 AM ET

It was very cheap and gutless.

I was semi-rooting for CGY when that happened (because I’m sick of hearing about CHI’s hockey “rebirth” for the 58490584385093480950432859th time this year), and it made me switch my rooting interests.  I was happy to see Havlat pop one in at the start of OT for his revenge.

Posted by Primis on 04/17/09 at 08:18 AM ET

Yeah, clearly a cheapshot, no question about it. Chicago’s got plenty of tough customers though, so he can expect to get his if he’s going to act that way.

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 04/17/09 at 08:23 AM ET

I don’t think people realize: These guys aren’t taking the faceoff.  These guys are on the wing.

Posted by MarkK from Maryland on 04/17/09 at 09:07 AM ET

im more concerned with the bad message Montreal players sent to Boston after their game. are they going to be suspended as well?

The amazing thing is, and I can’t remember if it was someone on TSN or on CBC who said it, that Kostopoulos won’t get suspended because he missed the elbow at the end of the game. 

Your team is losing and you try to throw a GIANT elbow, for no other reason that an attempt to injure, but because you miss you’re probably not going to get suspended?  He better get suspended.  Intent to injure is intent to injure it intent to injure.

Posted by Garth on 04/17/09 at 09:31 AM ET

I don’t think people realize: These guys aren’t taking the faceoff.  These guys are on the wing.

Yeah…and?

Posted by Garth on 04/17/09 at 09:32 AM ET

No suspension in case anyone is wondering.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 04/17/09 at 01:00 PM ET

What is wrong with Colin Campbell? Of course, suspend the guy who “sent a message” and leads the league in penalty minutes, but sit idly while Montreal and Calgary continue unscathed? That’s a load of BS.

Everyone hates the Flyers, it seems, but where is the consistency in discipline? Who am I kidding, this should not be a surprise. The NHL really dropped the ball on this one (or puck).

Posted by Wild Wing from Orange County, CA on 04/17/09 at 01:39 PM ET

Have you seen the hit from the other angle, Havlat is just flopping all over the place, no where as obvious as Carcillo’s hit.  Jeez I thought Chicago was supposed to be a tough town but Chicago fans are all a flutter over a face rub.

Posted by Keith from Calgary on 04/17/09 at 04:26 PM ET