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Cullen Leaves Game After Hit From Orr
by Paul on 12/26/07 at 08:43 PM ET
Comments (19)
via Sports Network,
Carolina Hurricanes center Matt Cullen left Wednesday’s contest against the New York Rangers in the second period after an open-ice hit by Colton Orr.
Cullen quickly carried the puck into New York’s zone and with his head down after losing possession of the disc, was recklessly ran into by Orr with his helmet smacking him in the face.
Cullen, who had a cut on his nose, stayed down on the ice for several minutes before being helped to his skates and was eventually escorted to the locker room.
Orr was penalized for interference on the play and was handed a game misconduct.
update 10:46pm, Swapped out the video for one that shows more angles of the hit.
added 6:20pm on 12/27/07, KK member just pointed out in the comments that there will be no suspension for Orr.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Colton+Orr, Matt+Cullen,
Comments
Orr had his head down looking at the puck, when he looked up at the last second he saw he was going to collide with Matt Cullen and put his hands up. MSG showed the replay angle of this (one where you could see where Orr was looking) about 5 minutes after play resumed.
Posted by bcrt2000 on 12/26/07 at 11:13 PM ET
Don’t know that it was a dirty hit but I’m obviously biased, since I’m a Rangers fan.
Besides the call of “interference” being laughable (he had the puck! call it an elbow or something if you really think it’s a dirty hit, refs!), even more obnoxious was Joe Micheletti trying to explain the hit. He actually tried to say it was an accident and that Orr was trying to protect himself by putting his arms up high. This guy has to be the worst commentator in hockey.
Posted by K24 from NYC on 12/26/07 at 11:20 PM ET
Sorry bcrt, I think Orr was definitely aiming for Cullen.
Posted by K24 from NYC on 12/26/07 at 11:21 PM ET
K24, did you see the replay angle that I mentioned? The one where you can actually see Orr’s face and where he is looking? (the angle shot from the left side of Orr)
Posted by bcrt on 12/27/07 at 12:22 AM ET
His arms were up, but I don’t think it was a head shot. Orr was clearly gunning for Cullen, but last time I looked open-ice checks usually have a target. Orr will get a game or two for this because the League will punish anyone who throws a hit like this and doesn’t play on one of the top two lines.
Meanwhile, the notion of a Flyers fan attempting to demonize this hit is hilarious. Not only because it pales in comparison to Philly’s thuggery this season—maybe I missed it when Cullen was hit while on his knees or with his back to the play near the glass—but because Lindros would make this same check once a game before The Concussion Years.
Posted by Greg Wyshynski on 12/27/07 at 01:49 AM ET
I’m a Devils fan, the check was clean. Stevens would’ve been proud. Colton’ll get a game becasue it’ll look bad on SportsCenter because they’ll only show that one angle, but Orr clearly doesn’t come up for a head shot on Cullen.
Posted by Steve from New Jersey on 12/27/07 at 03:19 AM ET
Shouldn’t be a suspension on this one. Not sure it even should have been penalized.
Posted by false_cause from DC on 12/27/07 at 05:59 AM ET
Clean hit that didn’t deserve to be penalized, yet he got a major. A young referee reacting to the effect rather then the act. Those are the type of hits people pay money to see. Keep your head up kids.
Posted by RemyM from Stamford, CT on 12/27/07 at 08:58 AM ET
From NYT Slapshot: “But Orr’s forearms were up, perhaps largely to protect himself, and one hit Cullen’s chin.”
Forearms up? Have you seen Scott Stevens forearms up on his famous hits? I guess not.
I hope someone will Annihilate Orr some day.
Posted by Caps fan on 12/27/07 at 09:33 AM ET
Totally led with his arms up hitting Cullen square in the face. The “interference” call was crap, but the match penalty was not. Obviously a deliberate intent to injure which is not the same as a hit that “hurts”. All square hits hurt, even when they’re accidental. But “intent to injure” occurs when a guy goes head hunting, which is exactly what Orr did.
Posted by nuts4pucks on 12/27/07 at 11:46 AM ET
It doesn’t mention anywhere the Orr had 3 cuts on his face from the helmet to helmet hit. It wasn’t an elbow or stick or shoulder it was a unfortunate clean hit. All parents everywhere should show this video to their young hockey playing kids as the number one reason why you skate with your head up!!
Posted by GeoinNYC on 12/27/07 at 01:40 PM ET
Yes, bcrt, I saw that replay, but there’s no way Orr didn’t know he was going to hit Cullen. This wasn’t an accidental hit, though the result probably was.
Posted by K24 on 12/27/07 at 02:57 PM ET
Maybe I just haven’t seen it, but anyone else notice that none of the Hurricanes said it was a dirty hit?
Posted by K24 from NYC on 12/27/07 at 05:38 PM ET
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/rangers/2007/12/nhls-discipline-czar-not-comin.html
Colin Campbell says no suspension.
Posted by K24 from NYC on 12/27/07 at 06:18 PM ET
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i hope he gets 20 games.
thats 10x wrose than the downie hit. that hit clearly showed intent.
paging colly
Posted by FlyersFan on 12/26/07 at 09:46 PM ET