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Reaction To The Ballard ‘Swing’
by Paul on 12/01/09 at 07:11 AM ET
Comments (6)
from Steve Gorten of the Sun-Sentinel,
Ballard didn’t talk to the media after tonight’s game, which is understandable considering what he went through with accidentally smacking goalie Tomas Vokoun in the head with his stick and then having the winning Thrashers’ goal score on a shot off his stick.
I feel bad for him personally.
Yes, what he did was stupid, and unneccessary. But I see players smashing their sticks on the crossbar or post after a goal or after a loss all the time. It’s as common in hockey as fighting.
That said, I wonder if players around the league will think twice now before doing it. Bryan Allen said after the game: “I’ve done the same thing—break a stick on the post—and I didn’t even think twice. Obviously I won’t do it again. I’m sure he won’t either.
I give Ballard credit for coming back and playing. If it was me and I had skated off the ice in shock and horror at what happened, I’m not sure I could have come back on the ice again that night.
Everyone was supportive of Ballard concerning the incident.
more and if you miseed the video, watch it here...
Filed in: NHL Teams, Florida Panthers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Keith+Ballard,
Comments
Without a doubt he should be suspended. People will argue that it was a mistake, and yes their was no malicious intent to injure his own goalie, but luckily for Vokoun he walks away with only a cut. This could have been much worse…what if the stick goes under the mask and gets him in the throat? What message is this sending to the children who are going to see this shown over and over in the media? That it is ok to swing your stick on the ice when things don’t go your way! Maybe a game or two, but this certainly cannot be left to be handled internally. If so, wrong message!
Posted by Mac on 12/01/09 at 09:05 AM ET
May be time for the league to change the rules to give a 2 minute penalty for swinging your stick at a goal or boards in disgust. Should be no suspension to Ballard. It was a dumb move in a fit of anger. At least he has some passion and hates bad goals. I wish more Panthers had his passion and disgust for allowing goals too many times they shrug their shoulders and skate away and accept losing.
Posted by Bo from FL on 12/01/09 at 11:35 AM ET
I have to admit I’ve smashed my stick in frustration on more than one occasion and hopefully this will run through my head the next time I’m tempted to do something so childish and stupid. Then again now that I was forced to give up my cheap club of a wooden stick for a composite I’m less likely to smash it since I have to pay for a new one.
Posted by Hockey1919 from Montreal on 12/01/09 at 11:44 AM ET
I have to admit I’ve smashed my stick in frustration on more than one occasion…
I second that.
“But for the grace of the hockey gods there go I”.
Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 12/01/09 at 03:21 PM ET
Players have to be in control of their sticks at all times. If a high stick is unintentional it is still called. A hockey stick is (potentially) a weapon. You can’t say, “Well I know I had a gun in my hand but I didn’t intend to pull the trigger”. Without accountability rules have no meaning. That being said, we are talking about the NHL here, so don’t get your hopes up.
Posted by calquake on 12/01/09 at 03:35 PM ET
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Here is a video of the entire scene playing out. In it, you can see a few different angles, the medical staff, the stretcher, the whole nine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOB_Lwpm3vk
Posted by Alan from Atlanta on 12/01/09 at 07:25 AM ET