Gone from the game might be a bit much, but I only say that b/c some of the more egregious head hits lately aren’t even getting 2 mins. So who the heck knows what’s a major anymore?

Posted by none on 03/14/10 at 12:09 PM ET

agree with you but that was irresponsible of ovechkin to push him like that…he knew after he did it that it was a mistake

Posted by ray on 03/14/10 at 12:17 PM ET

He’s already getting 1 game for his 3rd misconduct of the season but good ol colly would do the opposite.

The penalty is exactly wrong with this league. Bettman’s fingerprint are allover this league the refs have no clue what to call anymore.

Posted by FlyersFan on 03/14/10 at 12:21 PM ET

Stupid shove, but if the guy wasn’t falling down it would have been harmless - not even boarding.  Give the refs credit for doing what the rulebook says to do (for once).  Ovy’s not a dirty player, but sometimes he needs to be a little smarter out there.

LETS GO CAPS!!!!

Posted by Thag from Hyderabad on 03/14/10 at 12:23 PM ET

I thought he deserved a double minor for boarding, or maybe two for boarding and two for roughing. Ejection from the game is a bit much.

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste Marie on 03/14/10 at 12:26 PM ET

Dangerous play deserves ejection.

Posted by Timbits on 03/14/10 at 12:30 PM ET

If I were the referee, I probably wouldn’t have been that harsh. Then again, I can’t fault the referees from protecting the players and erroring on the side of caution.

Milbury is an idiot with his “softening of the game” argument, but there’s a point to rule limbo atmosphere. If it’s possible to include the recent blindside rule, it might be a good idea to do so.

Posted by Moq from Denmark on 03/14/10 at 12:37 PM ET

There is no double minor for boarding per the NHL rulebook (for whatever that’s worth.) He absolutely deserves to get tossed and should get more than the one-game automatic suspension he will get for a second boarding penalty and game misconduct this season.

Posted by cs6687 on 03/14/10 at 12:37 PM ET

One of the most dirtiest plays of the year.  Ovechkin hit him right in the numbers from behind.  He deserve at least a 5 game suspension for that.

Posted by Dirty on 03/14/10 at 12:43 PM ET

A week ago, this might not have been called. Ovy has been more reckless in the past with less called.

Posted by No rhyme or reason on 03/14/10 at 12:44 PM ET

This says more about Ovechkin’s awareness of what’s happening in the world of the NHL than it says about his play.
With all the talk going on about head hits and violence in the game you would think he would be a little smarter.
It’s like he’s bolivian.

Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 03/14/10 at 12:54 PM ET

Coward, always has dirty hits and never drops the gloves.  (Briere, Campbell) and the Knee on Knee hits (Gonchar, Gleason) Send a message 10 games! If he were a grinder he would get 10. Problem is Bettman and the league office is too busy trying to sell the game to people who could care less. Had they slapped him a few years ago when he drove Briere into the boards we may not have had any more nonsense. We know the NHL though….he’s fast and likes to celebrate, can’t have him miss a couple games…...

Posted by Killerdg93 from Niagara on 03/14/10 at 12:54 PM ET

One the dirtiest plays of the year….really.....

It was a push to back but Campbell didn’t go in straight on and he was turned a bit so calling it straight from behind isn’t correct.

Stupid play on Ovie’s part but not deserving of the game misconduct.

42.3 Major Penalty – The Referee, at his discretion, may assess a major penalty, based on the degree of violence of the impact with the boards, to a player or goalkeeper guilty of boarding an opponent (see 42.5).

42.5 Game Misconduct Penalty - When a major penalty is imposed under this rule for a foul resulting in an injury to the face or head of an opponent, a game misconduct shall be imposed.

There was no indication that Campbell was injured in his face or head. It looked like a shoulder or side. The rule no applied correctly.

Posted by Moocat on 03/14/10 at 12:59 PM ET

44.5 Game Misconduct – A game misconduct penalty must be assessed anytime a major penalty is applied for checking from behind.

The rule was applied correctly.

Posted by cs6687 on 03/14/10 at 01:03 PM ET

I wouldn’t have called it a major, but it was certainly a penalty. But then, when Campbell is out for the game, it’s hard to argue Ovie shouldn’t also be when it was a penalized play.

I don’t see this as dirty so much as a bad judgement on whether the play was in a position to take that hit. It’s basically the same thing as the Briere hit: slightly more from behind than can be tolerated, especially with the danger the boards present in these two cases. He wasn’t headhunting, but shouldn’t have given that shove.

Hope Campbell is not injured.

Posted by false_cause from DC on 03/14/10 at 01:12 PM ET

According to NHL.com the ruling was boarding, not checking from behind.

Posted by Moq from Denmark on 03/14/10 at 01:16 PM ET

Wrong.

It wasn’t called checking from behind. It was a boarding call and the rule has no language specifically for a check or push from behind anywhere in it and it doesn’t carry an automatic Game Misconduct unless deemed to have been to the head.

The rule then becomes based on the referee’s judgment: The severity of the penalty, based upon the degree of violence of the impact with the boards, shall be at the discretion of the Referee.

Since there was no obvious head shot one has to assume they felt the degree of impact was enough for them to call a game misconduct which having seen much worse this year and knowing the climate of the league after the Cooke hit I feel the rule was not applied correctly and the refs overreacted.

Again stupid play but it wasn’t black and white and wasn’t nearly as severe as other stuff.

Oh and this little tidbit is also located in the boarding rule language: However, there is also a responsibility on the player with the puck to avoid placing himself in a dangerous and vulnerable position. This balance must be considered by the Referees when applying this rule.

Gotta love this league….

Posted by Moocat on 03/14/10 at 01:17 PM ET

Doesn’t matter if Ovechkin meant to hit him that way or not, he was reckless, as usual.  Throw the book at him.  The NHL doesn’t need that kind of behavior.

Posted by VAHockeyFan on 03/14/10 at 01:18 PM ET

Campbell toe-picked—that’s what sent him into the boards shoulder-first.  When Pierre “I Heart Crosby!!!” McGuire and Mad Mike “Ovechkin is a Pansy” Milbury go on about how terrible the call is, that might say something.

Also, Milbury just called it a 5-minute “pushing major”.  The first semi-smart thing Milbury has ever said.

Posted by Right Winger from Washington, DC on 03/14/10 at 01:18 PM ET

I have seen identical hits/pushes overlooked entirely….
I think perhaps the severity of the call had a lot to do with Don Cherry’s rant last night.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 03/14/10 at 01:27 PM ET

Campbell doesn’t crash into the boards if Ovechkin doesn’t touch him. Bottom line. Dangerous hit. And will never hear Pierre or Milbury bash Ovechkin. He has “passion.” Milbury just needs to go away forever.

Posted by cs6687 on 03/14/10 at 01:29 PM ET

This is no different than the Lapierre shove and he got a 4 game suspension.  I am shocked most of you guys don’t think it is suspension worthy but were all over Lapierre for the same thing.  It appears that the name on the sweater is what gets people riled up.

I personally think we are going way over board with criticizing any hit that results in injury.  It’s hockey.

Posted by Mr. Nasty on 03/14/10 at 01:58 PM ET

@cs6687

There is no automatic one-game suspension because Rule 23.5 erases Ovechkin’s previous game misconduct for boarding for purposes of whether he gets an automatic one-game suspension under Rule 42.6.

Rule 23.5 states, in relevant part:

“When a player or goalkeeper has played in 41 consecutive regular League games without being assessed a boarding and/or a checking from behind major and a game misconduct according to Rules 42 and 44, he will have the previous game misconduct penalties removed from his current record. They will remain part of his historical record.”

Ovechkin has played in exactly 41 games between today’s game and the game in which he got his most recent game misconduct for boarding on 11/25 against Buffalo.

Posted by youaresquishy from San Antonio on 03/14/10 at 01:58 PM ET

Ovie is reckless and dangerous with this kind of play, and he’s been on record as saying that he’s not going to change his ways and he doesn’t care what the league office thinks. 
No suspension for boarding Kaleta back in November , but a 41 game probation period for boarding.
Two games for kneeing Gleason, and his response to that was that it made him “angry” and that he wouldn’t change his style and might even play even rougher.

Since he hasn’t learned, and he continues to injure players with this deliberately reckless play, the league should (but won’t) hit him with a very serious suspension.

Posted by David Lee from Greensboro, NC on 03/14/10 at 02:09 PM ET

Pens fans: the ‘Hawks laid an egg in the 3rd, Ovechkin is a dirty player, the Caps are terrible, etc.

Rest of the league: this team, when it wants to be, is the best in hockey, Ovechkin’s hit wasn’t worthy of a major, Backstrom is one of the most underrated players in the game.

Posted by Right Winger from Washington, DC on 03/14/10 at 02:09 PM ET

Right Winger, you are so far off. Please stop with the bs. Washington is a good team, but they are not the best team in hockey. I don’t care what the record is. They are far too dependent on the power play.

But Chicago helped greatly by playing undisciplined in the third period. That comeback doesn’t happen if Chicago doesn’t get undisciplined. Ovechkin is dirty. The league doesn’t have the guts to suspend him. I look forward to the Penguins eliminating Washington…again.

Posted by cs6687 on 03/14/10 at 02:17 PM ET

It’s what I’ve been writing for a while, the top teams of the Western Conference aren’t that frightening. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a third appearance for Detroit in the finals even when starting as 7th or 8th seed.

The Capitals are a very good team, and you have to play offence to beat them. As soon as you sit back and admire your lead, you’re heading for trouble. Pittsburgh learned that a few times in the playoffs last season.

And no, Right Winger, very few Pens fans think that the Caps are terrible. Build that strawman another day. Some of us even like the way you play.

Posted by Moq from Denmark on 03/14/10 at 02:20 PM ET

the caps are a great team with or without OV, and it was obvious today against a team many have going deep into the playoffs.

Posted by gretzky_to_lemieux on 03/14/10 at 02:26 PM ET

the Caps are terrible, etc.

What? I haven’t read any comments from Pens fans that write the Caps are terrible. To the contrary. Most say that Ovechkin gets too much of the credit for their success and that they are a very good team now- even without him. Today’s game is a perfect example of that.

Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 03/14/10 at 02:27 PM ET

@cs6687:

Your one-sidedness is off the charts obnoxious…  You plead Cooke’s innocence and cry bloody murder on this hit.  Step back, calm down and get some perspective.  We all know you wuv the Pens, but I beg you to make an attempt to get a little wiser and take off your rosie coloured glasses that is All Things Pens…

Just a suggestion…

Posted by Unicorn Force from DC (but like everyone here, I'm not a local) on 03/14/10 at 02:40 PM ET

more than the one-game automatic suspension

Sorry, Cs.  Star players don’t get one-game automatic suspensions; remember Malkin’s hissy fit in the finals?

Posted by MarkK from Maryland on 03/14/10 at 02:50 PM ET

Unicorn force, I am not one-sided. I said last week that Cooke’s hit was dangerous, but should not result in a suspension BASED ON THE PRECEDENT THAT WAS RICHARDS’ HIT. Had it been an isolated incident, I would’ve thought otherwise. But since there was PRECEDENT, Campbell made the right move based on PRECEDENT.

With Ovechkin, he has a repeated history of dangerous hits that have gone mostly unpunished, with the exception of one minor suspension this year. He will continue to endanger other players’ safety until the league grows a pair and sits him down for awhile. He’s lucky Campbell’s head didn’t slam into the boards, otherwise there’s a chance he suffers a much more severe injury.

Posted by cs6687 on 03/14/10 at 02:54 PM ET

@cs6687

You stated that the Capitals are “far too dependent on the power play.”

Wrong again.

According to the stats at http://www.nhl.com, heading into today, the Capitals had scored 179 even-strength goals.  That’s 23 more than the next-best mark of 156, which belongs to Chicago.

Heading into today, for 12 teams in the NHL, the percentage of their total actual goals scored (not counting the goal you get awarded for winning in a shootout) that were power play goals was higher than that of the Capitals.  26.33% of the Capitals goals, heading into today, were power play goals.  In first place is Philadelphia—31.16% of its goals are power play goals. 

The rankings in terms of power play dependence as of before today’s games through the Capitals’ #13 slot were 1. Flyers, 2. Lightning, 3. Blue Jackets, 4. Canadiens, 5. Red Wings, 6. Rangers, 7. Wild, 8. Oilers, 9. Canucks, 10. Ducks, 11. Sharks, 12. Hurricanes, 13. Capitals

How can you possibly think that the team with by far the most even-strength goals in the league, that’s not anywhere near the top of the rankings in terms of power-play dependence, is “far too dependent on the power play”? 

That’s a ridiculous statement, cs6687.

Posted by youaresquishy from San Antonio on 03/14/10 at 02:56 PM ET

Okay, I admit I might have been off with that statement, but I’m still not sold on Washington.

Posted by cs6687 on 03/14/10 at 03:00 PM ET

It’s what I’ve been writing for a while, the top teams of the Western Conference aren’t that frightening. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a third appearance for Detroit in the finals even when starting as 7th or 8th seed.

The 12 place team in the west is better than the fourth place team in the east.

To right Winger, who the hell ever said the Capitals aren’t good?

Posted by steve on 03/14/10 at 03:02 PM ET

If Campbell doesn’t lose his edge and go crashing awkwardly into the boards - there probably isn’t even a call.

The fact he crashes and burns mandates a penalty, and should earn 8 a suspension for his repeat offender status.

Which illustrates the problem with the league = consistency.

A penalty is a penalty, all the time.  They just aren’t called all the time.  The league needs to make clear what is and isn’t allowed, and consistently enforce the rules - - which they never do.  And dangerous plays need to be subject to suspension.

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 03/14/10 at 03:07 PM ET

Cooke’s hit was waaaayyyy worse then this. As was Richards. I think Ovie is a wreckless player myself, but that didn’t deserve a 5 and a game. 2 for boarding and 2 for roughing would be about right. Ovechkin just game him a little shove and he was off balance. No way this was as bad as the other two. Cooke should be gone for the year.

Posted by hola on 03/14/10 at 03:08 PM ET

@cs6687

Alright, well that’s fine if you’re not sold on Washington.  I know plenty of folks who aren’t, who don’t think they are the best team, and who don’t think they will win a Cup this year. 

Plenty of folks don’t like their goaltending, lack of team defense, lack of penalty kill, and lack of any kind of really good defensive defenseman.

But wow can they score.  I think they will at least make it to the finals this year, barring a serious injury to Ovechkin or Backstrom.

Posted by youaresquishy from San Antonio on 03/14/10 at 03:10 PM ET

Sorry, Cs.  Star players don’t get one-game automatic suspensions; remember Malkin’s hissy fit in the finals?

Neither do grinders as Scott Walker didn’t get a suspension two rounds before that. 

About the AO hit, it was completely unnecessary and dumb on his part.  Was the game misconduct a little much?  Maybe.  But he should have pushed a player between the numbers that close to the boards.  It’s just a stupid play and people wonder why some say he’s reckless and is going to do serious damage to himself or another player.

Posted by pens fan in baltimore on 03/14/10 at 03:11 PM ET

Dumb play by Alex but that’s a 2 min minor. His reputation cost him there.

Posted by eric from baltimore on 03/14/10 at 03:23 PM ET

I think they will at least make it to the finals this year…

Why they will not. Two words. Defense. Goaltending.

Posted by cs6687 on 03/14/10 at 03:44 PM ET

That’s a minimum of 4 games. Lapierre got 4 against San Jose for a similar hit last week. He had never been suspended before. Sorry Campbell. If Cooke gets 0 because Richards got 0, then Alex has to get 4+ because Lapierre got 4.

Campbell was going to get hammered either way on that play. If he goes the other way it would have been worse. But knowing the NHL, they’ll slap him on the wrist with 1 because he’s the League’s marquee player… Par for the course.

Posted by Guy10 from Oz on 03/14/10 at 05:18 PM ET

Full disclosure: Hawks fan.

That said, I think it was unnecessary and most likely a mostly dirty hit that merited the call. It was clear he didn’t mean for it to happen, but without Ovie’s help, Campbell doesn’t eat the boards quite as hard.

There has been a lot of discussion recently of players policing themselves. When you are motoring toward the boards and totally vulnerable, it should be unwritten that you do not get the “help” needed to lose your balance and end your season. Removing this sort of bullshit doesn’t hurt the game.

Posted by eternal_fields on 03/14/10 at 05:53 PM ET

Boarding, hit from behind, charging, pick one, its a dangerous play and shouldn’t be allowed. These are the types of hits that would cause you to institute no touch icing.

Posted by Hockey1919 from montreal on 03/14/10 at 06:24 PM ET

OV was gone to save what was left of the game…look at the WCF last year. Kronwall ended up sitting the rest of the game…inadvertently or not…it probably saved alot of…issues…for the remaining time on the clock.

Posted by mrfluffy from Long Beach on 03/14/10 at 07:00 PM ET

Of all of Ovechkin’s dirty hits…this was probably the least offensive.  Suspendable?  Maybe…will he get suspended?  No.

He just HAS to be a complete douche on the ice 100% of the time…what is this guy’s problem?  He’s going to end someone’s career with a spinal injury.  He just has zero respect for any players in this league…eventually, hopefully, someone will make him pay the price.

Posted by stoneman from vegas on 03/14/10 at 10:15 PM ET

Unicorn force, I am not one-sided. I said last week that Cooke’s hit was dangerous, but should not result in a suspension BASED ON THE PRECEDENT THAT WAS RICHARDS’ HIT. Had it been an isolated incident, I would’ve thought otherwise. But since there was PRECEDENT, Campbell made the right move based on PRECEDENT.

so you agree with “we screwed up the last one, so let’s screw up this one to maintain consistency”?!?!

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 03/15/10 at 06:58 AM ET

that area within a few feet of the boards is a very dangerous one.  when will the consensus be that it is a player’s responsibility to be careful what they do, with the health, lives, and careers of their fellow players on the line?

does the NHLPA have the authority to suspend players?  if they don’t, maybe they should.  since the league can’t be trusted to do something about dangerous hits, maybe the players can.  where’s the peer pressure?  do Ovechkin’s teammates go into the locker room telling him “hey don’t worry about it, great hit” or do they tell him “hey man, cut that crap out, we don’t need somebody retaliating and hurting one of us”?  hopefully it’s the latter, but I doubt it.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 03/15/10 at 07:04 AM ET

@Paul - or better yet, Campbell IS one of us! (an NHLPA member)

There’s not enough respect in this league among the players. It’s hard to feel empathy for a Blackhawk seriously injured due to a cheap shot not intended to injure. Patrick Sharp likely cost the wings the cup last year with a similar unintended cheap shot. When the hawks choke in the playoffs, THIS will be the reason given. It’s strange that this clears $7m from their cap for the rest of the season AFTER the trade deadline.

Posted by redxblack from Akron Ohio on 03/15/10 at 08:06 AM ET