Yes, I think he should be suspended, though I am uncertain that Campbell will.

Posted by pens fan in baltimore on 03/15/10 at 10:14 AM ET

the nhl really is going to shit, colin campbell is an idiot,
but no he shouldnt be suspended…matt cookes hit was far dirtier and he didnt even get a slap on the wrist

Posted by jonathan from halifax on 03/15/10 at 10:18 AM ET

No, that shouldn’t have been a match penalty, but rather a stand alone 5 or 4 minute penalty. Reckless and bad luck, not dirty.

And if Matt Cooke can walk free, then this should not be suspended.

Posted by Andy from FightNight on 03/15/10 at 10:18 AM ET

He absolutely should be.  This is one of the most dangerous plays in hockey.  When you hit a guy three feet away from the boards, he can;t react.  It was indeed boarding, plain and simple, and for the Caps to claim otherwise is laughable.  If Lapierre got four games for a similar hit on Nichol, Ovechkin should get more.  Lapierre, though a dirty player, had a clean “rap sheet.”  Ovechkin doesn’t.  His indiscretions have been well documented.  it most certainly isn’t the first time he’s injured someone.  While I don’t know that there was an attempt to injure on this play, there was most certainly recklessness.  he must be suspended or he will just keep doing it.

Posted by Mike Adams from Madison, WI on 03/15/10 at 10:19 AM ET

No, he shouldn’t be suspended.  It is questionable whether it should have been a penalty at all, let alone a major.

Posted by Capwood on 03/15/10 at 10:20 AM ET

Don’t think he should be suspended. Big overreaction from everyone since the Savard-incident. Ovechkin has been hit worse than this by Adams and that wasn’t even a penalty so I don’t see why this should be.

Everyone is so horny on suspensions right now it’s making me sick. Players can get injured without the need of suspensions being handed out.

Posted by Daniel from Sweden on 03/15/10 at 10:20 AM ET

In light of the recent Matt Cooke antics, I do not think the NHL should suspend Ovechkin. It would be terrible precedent and both are ‘repeat offenders.’

I think the NHL has gotten out of hand with the injuries and the intent of the players has to change…if the puck is gone…pull up…ease back…or avoid the contact. Matt Cooke could have stepped out of the hitting lane on Savard, Ovechkin could have kept his paws off of Campbell.

Guys are making terrible decisions, and the outcome is a terrible black eye for the league. You don’t have to look too hard to see guys like Steve Downie intentionally trying to hurt higher-caliber players, like Crosby. It is disgusting and is certainly not hockey.

I am a huge Ovie fan, and dislike Crosby, but I do not want to see injuries and poor decisions change the outcome of games. Those wins and losses should be decided by skill, sportsmanship, and respect for the game.

Posted by Scott from VA on 03/15/10 at 10:21 AM ET

Leonsis just couldn’t help but add that “League MVP” portion, like that should somehow mitigate the act.

Posted by Sea Otter on 03/15/10 at 10:22 AM ET

He absolutely should be.  This is one of the most dangerous plays in hockey.

True.  But the Cooke hit is more dangerous and he didn’t receive any punishment whatsoever.

“Rap sheet”- Ovi’s isn’t clean, but niether was Cooke’s.

Spin the wheel and see what happens.

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 03/15/10 at 10:22 AM ET

This incident should be judged on its own merits, not compared to a dissimilar case involving Cooke. Major penalty, game misconduct, and injured player equals suspension in my book regardless of intent or misfortune involved in the play.

Posted by Moq from Denmark on 03/15/10 at 10:27 AM ET

No. For every questionable hit Ovi has made, there are at least 2 questionable hits made on him. Most of which did not even draw a penalty. Had Campbell gotten right up yesterday…there probably would not even been a penalty.

Physical play is part if the game. NHL has a problem determining what is acceptable or not.  seems like there is at least one questionable hit every night. The cleanup needs to begin with defining what is acceptable and what is not.

Posted by David from washington, dc on 03/15/10 at 10:27 AM ET

I honestly don’t know if Ovechkin should be suspended, but referencing the guy who wasn’t suspended only because of a loophole in the rulebook, particularly when there’s no such loophole for boarding, doesn’t help Ted’s case in any way.

Posted by steve on 03/15/10 at 10:27 AM ET

If Maxim Lapierre can be suspended for the same type of hit that injured Scott Nichol, then Ovechkin should be too. Giving “superstars” a pass sets a bad precedence and gives the league a bad image.

Posted by Endboard on 03/15/10 at 10:28 AM ET

For every questionable hit Ovi has made, there are at least 2 questionable hits made on him.

That’s just nuts. One of the most impressive things about Ovechkins game is that he’s got a radar sense in avoiding hits and that in the rare occasions in which someone does line him up, he usually steamrolls him. Ovechkin takes as little punishment as Gretzky, though for totally different reasons.

Posted by steve on 03/15/10 at 10:30 AM ET

Suspensions all around (for Ovechkin and Cooke).  I was also outraged a couple of years ago where I believe Pronger got all of 1 game for a stomp that deserved much worse.  My suspicion is that Ovechkin will get suspended for only 1 game.

Posted by Mike from Idaho on 03/15/10 at 10:34 AM ET

It was a stupid play because the puck had been played before the push.

But to give him a suspension?

First, unless there is an intent to injure, which I think we can reasonably say there was not, a resulting injury should not factor into the discussion. 

Second, that play is a penalty because of the time elapsed between the puck being played and contact being made.  If Campbell had the puck, that might not even be a penalty.

Third, the size/strength difference between the players I think was also a factor.  Bigger players already have to make sure they don’t elbow or head shot shorter players, so suspending Ovie might mean that bigger players have to worry about hitting smaller ones.

Fourth, the penalty came at 7:30 of the 1st period, with the team losing 1-0.  So Ovie missed about 85% of the game.  Had it happened at 12:30 of the third period with the Caps winning by 4 goals, then maybe a game suspension is warranted as a warning.  But I think Ovie has already served his ‘game’ suspension.

Finally, Downie’s slew foot on Crosby was much worse and that should be the debate today.  The puck was not there, there was an intent to injure, and it is not just a one second lapse of bad judgment.  The slew foot took several seconds to develop, Ovie’s hit about 1 second (about the time the puck was played and then contact).

Posted by jon on 03/15/10 at 10:35 AM ET

A 240lb man at that speed going into the boards should use better judgment when he decides to give a push.  Cooke should be suspended and so should Ovechkin.  Players are bigger and we need to wake up..  the amt of injuries to top players this year is FREEKIN RIDICULOUS!!!

Posted by J_rub (twitter) on 03/15/10 at 10:39 AM ET

Better to poll the current players themselves and see what they think. They’re the ones who bleed and suffer, but they also know what it’s like to commit infractions, and they know the difference between a mistake and a deliberate cheap hit.

Posted by Shtikl on 03/15/10 at 10:41 AM ET

Ugh.

I think that they should suspend him a game - but ONLY IF they fully intend to suspend anyone else a game for such a dangerous hit, no matter who the shover is, who the shovee is, whether it’s in the regular season or playoffs, or what injuries result.

At some point they have to stop giving light penalties for things that deserve heavier ones for the sole reason that they always have gone easy on the player before.  Usually this happens and the player who goes into the boards gets up and he’s fine, but there is the potential for getting a broken neck. 

This would be a good time to crack down on that kind of thing because they could suspend a star for a game and have no effect on the playoff races so they wouldn’t be concerned about that, since the Capitals have a playoff spot already secured.  It would be good pr for a change and - again, if it is a change in philosophy and not just a one-time thing to make the whole issue blow over - could actually help player safety by emphasizing how dangerous this kind of thing is.

But they’ll probably do nothing.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 03/15/10 at 10:41 AM ET

Leonsis demonstrates his lack of hockey knowledge once again.

Cooke’s hit was dirty but legal, hence the rules change.

Ovechkin’s til was both dirty and illegal, and he should be suspended.

Leonsis and Baghdad Bob Boudreu continue to look like idiots for defending the indefensible.

Posted by HNBCTB on 03/15/10 at 10:41 AM ET

Yes. He’s gotten out of control. If he isn’t suspended then all any team has to do is hit them hard to knock them out.  Easy way to win games.

Posted by henrik lundqvist blog from south dakota on 03/15/10 at 10:42 AM ET

You cannot, I repeat cannot, compare this to Matt Cooke’s hit.  Alex Ovechkin did break a rule on this play, Matt Cooke did not.

Posted by Dave on 03/15/10 at 10:44 AM ET

Better to poll the current players themselves and see what they think. They’re the ones who bleed and suffer, but they also know what it’s like to commit infractions, and they know the difference between a mistake and a deliberate cheap hit.

Posted by Shtikl on 03/15/10 at 11:41 AM ET

I’d love that, but just impossible to do.

However, the comments have been great so far, just as I expected.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 03/15/10 at 10:45 AM ET

I love Ovi but I didn’t care for that play yesterday.  I called it as soon as the hit happened, I said “He’s gone for the game.”

It is unfortunate that the NHL has gotten so ridiculous with it’s discipline that they have tainted the game this season.

I think because he pushed him and he went into the boards, he will get a game suspension.  I don’t know though, the NHL has been finicky with their decisions so spin the wheel and see what happens.

I think Downie should be suspended for slewfooting Crosby yesterday.

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 03/15/10 at 10:55 AM ET

Bob McKenzie says a hearing with the NHL is now scheduled.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 03/15/10 at 10:59 AM ET

the homerism is clouding too many here. there seems to be an either/or paradigm regarding Ovechkin. Either you’re a Crosby fan or an Ovechkin fan. Anything bad for Ovechkin is good for Crosby (thus all the Matt Cooke justifications).

It wasn’t a clean hit, but it wasn’t a malicious dirty hit either. It’s a 2 min minor for sure, but Campbell falling forward on a rut did the damage. Ovechkin seems to be everywhere in a game, but I’m pretty sure he wasn’t resurfacing the ice between periods.

Posted by redxblack from Akron Ohio on 03/15/10 at 11:18 AM ET

matt cookes hit was far dirtier and he didnt even get a slap on the wrist

I see this (idiotic) logic everywhere today, and it really pisses me off.  why are people literally saying “they made the wrong call on the last one, so they should make the wrong call here too.”  what’s more important - making the right call NOW or being consistent in making the WRONG call?  wake up, people!  you can’t use the NHL’s past stupid decisions to claim they should now make another stupid decision.

yes, Ovechkin should be suspended.  Cooke should have been suspended.  Downie should be suspended.

do you think maybe if, in all three of these incidents, major suspensions were handed out….that the players just might start to get the picture, and the tide might start to change?  you have to start somewhere.  “next time” or “later” is under no circumstances the right decision - and using past mistakes to justify new mistakes is flat out retarded.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 03/15/10 at 11:24 AM ET

“You cannot, I repeat cannot, compare this to Matt Cooke’s hit.  Alex Ovechkin did break a rule on this play, Matt Cooke did not.”

You sound like an attorney, when I used to officiate, we often referred to spirit and intent of the rule.  Bottom line, you have savard on a stretcher out, campbell broken collar bone/ribs and concussion.  What am I missing here?  Milbury says go play squash? Sorry Mr tough guy, put your machismo in your duffle bag and lets stop injuring our players.  Should be zero tolerance when a replay CLEARLY shows the guy committing the infraction…but this and but that….cmon cmon….frickin barbaric

Posted by J_rub (twitter) on 03/15/10 at 11:24 AM ET

  matt cookes hit was far dirtier and he didnt even get a slap on the wrist

I see this (idiotic) logic everywhere today, and it really pisses me off.  why are people literally saying “they made the wrong call on the last one, so they should make the wrong call here too.” what’s more important - making the right call NOW or being consistent in making the WRONG call?

Exactly, and even the Penguins were saying Cooke should have been suspended, while Boudreau and Leonsis are putting out statements basically blaming Campbell for falling.

Posted by Greg on 03/15/10 at 11:28 AM ET

Ovie is one (if not the) most exciting player in the game. That said, his style of play is reckless, and it’s that recklessness that makes him so exciting. Even so, the fact that he’s one of the NHL’s most marketable commodities shouldn’t impact the decision whether or not his play on Sunday was 1) illegal, 2) intended to injure, and 3) affecting the season of the player he hurt. I don’t think he intended to injure, but I don’t think he pushed Campbell by accident either. The other two are obviously in effect. Throw in the repeat offender bit, and he should get at least at slap on the wrist with 1 game, if not more. 

Is Ovie a dirtier player than Matt Cooke? No, Cooke’s league ahead of him, and I welcome the upcoming rule changes to remove some of Cooke’s BS from the game. That said, what Cooke did was awful, but technically legal (blame the rulemakers for this one), but Ovie’s hit has been illegal for years. Caps are in the playoffs regardless, so the league should do what it can to remove Ovie’s cheapshots from his game before the games matter in the playoffs.

Posted by penguinsfan on 03/15/10 at 11:28 AM ET

First, unless there is an intent to injure, which I think we can reasonably say there was not, a resulting injury should not factor into the discussion.

That’s a strange argument. Anytime you break the rules you’re also responsible for the results of that transgression. If I steal a car, lose control, and hit a family of five causing death and destruction, it’s an aggravating circumstance regardless of my intent to merely “borrow” a car. The injury factors into the penalty equation during a game, and should also be considered for suspension.

Evaluating intent based on video evidence is a far cry from exact science. In other words, no one can reliably judge the intent of Cooke, Downie, or Ovechkin based solely on watching TV, YouTube, or any other type of filmed material. You can hazard a guess or speculate freely, but you can’t really know. Therefore suspensions shouldn’t rely on the guesswork of intent. Only recklessness of the infraction and the result thereof should matter in determining the proper punishment. Ovechkin telling Campbell over the phone that he didn’t mean for it to happen shouldn’t be a mitigating or relevant circumstance.

The penalty and injury should be sufficient for swift Campbell justice, perhaps 3-5 games.

Posted by Moq from Denmark on 03/15/10 at 11:39 AM ET

Nothing to explain or complain about, Ted.

The video speaks for itself. Unnecessary hit that ended somebody’s season.

Ovechkin himself knew he had *#$%@& up immediately afterward. Look at his reaction and body language.

Suspend him for five games. If players don’t respect each other and the game, suspend their asses until they do.

A hit from behind is cheap and gutless any frickin’ way you slice it.

Posted by eternal_fields on 03/15/10 at 11:46 AM ET

Exactly, and even the Penguins were saying Cooke should have been suspended, while Boudreau and Leonsis are putting out statements basically blaming Campbell for falling.

Washington isn’t to the point with Ovechkin that Pittsburgh is with Cooke yet.

I thought Cooke was dirty when we signed him and was worried that he’d go around kneeing people then hide on the bench and someone else would have to answer. Well, I was wrong in that Cooke hasn’t been kneeing people, but what he has been doing every 20-30 games or so isn’t better.

I’ve seen other people in Pittsburgh—people who don’t watch the late games and didn’t know what we were getting into with the Cooke signing—basically go through the stages of grieving on his play. Pittsburgh is close—close to “accepting” the type of player he is and has always been.

I hear Vancouver went through the same thing: knee didn’t look intentional…they just got tangled up…hmm, this guy sure gets in a lot of knee on knee collisions…get this cheapshot artist out of here.

Washington’s still somewhere between bargaining and denial on Ovechkin. Unfortunately, it would probably take a paralysis for them to start coming to terms with the fact that he crosses the line way too much, and based on the videos from that other post, more frequently and egregiously than I had previously thought.

Posted by steve on 03/15/10 at 11:49 AM ET

Leonis would be a lot more credible in his rants, if he would for once man up and say what Ovechkin did was reckless. Its a simple “shove”, but so is pushing someone off of a platform when the train is coming. What Cooke did doesn’t matter at all, wrong is wrong, “Colin the Incompetent” may try to justify two wrongs to make a right, but no one but an idiot would drink that Kool-Aid. 

Here’s a simple sanity check, if you find yourself on the same side of an argument as Mike Milbury, don’t you owe it to yourself to at least reflect a minute on how wrong you must be?

Posted by hockey1919 from montreal on 03/15/10 at 12:06 PM ET

Only recklessness of the infraction and the result thereof should matter in determining the proper punishment.

you’re half right.  the recklessness (i.e. potential danger) should matter.  the result (i.e. injury vs no injury) should NOT count.

two players are smashed into the boards face first from behind.  one player is injured, the other is lucky and escapes injury.  why should the punishment handed out to the offending players be different?  they both did the EXACT SAME THING.  just because one got lucky and didn’t injure his opponent is completely irrelevant and should not affect punishment.

punish the ACT, not the RESULT.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 03/15/10 at 12:06 PM ET

Here’s a simple sanity check, if you find yourself on the same side of an argument as Mike Milbury, don’t you owe it to yourself to at least reflect a minute on how wrong you must be?

Awesome…Also, you might question why you are holding a shoe that doesn’t belong to you in your hand?

Posted by dash_pinched from Rumour Mill Bay on 03/15/10 at 12:11 PM ET

Congratulations to the NHL for completely erasing all traces of post-Olympic euphoria, and turning our attention back to the league’s own stupidity. Ovechkin, Cooke, and Downie should all be suspended. Hell, Colin had better suspend somebody and fast, because we’re right on the cusp of a massive outbreak of violence and retaliation.

Also, may I say how ridiculous it is that Gary Bettman is nowhere to be seen in cases of player discipline. He’s the Claude Lemieux of commissioners—talks a big game, but turtles when the going gets tough. Can you imagine Roger Goodell or David Stern taking a backseat in such cases?

(No, I didn’t forget Bud Selig. I can imagine him turtling. Which is why he’s the second worst commissioner in the four North American sports.)

Posted by jvwalt on 03/15/10 at 12:32 PM ET

Congratulations to the NHL for completely erasing all traces of post-Olympic euphoria, and turning our attention back to the league’s own stupidity. Ovechkin, Cooke, and Downie should all be suspended.

I’ll do one better and say Richards should be suspended retroactively as should Torrey Mitchell for his hit on Foster from a few years ago. I’d add George Laraque to the list for boarding Downie, but he seems to already be out of hockey.

Whatever gets guys like these to stop pulling this crap, count me in favor of.

Posted by steve on 03/15/10 at 12:40 PM ET

yes, Ovechkin should be suspended.  Cooke should have been suspended.  Downie should be suspended.

Couldn’t have said it any better myself.

Posted by Incognetis from Delaware... Hi... I'm in... Delaware on 03/15/10 at 12:46 PM ET

yes, Ovechkin should be suspended.  Cooke should have been suspended.  Downie should be suspended.

Couldn’t have said it any better myself.

Basically sums it up.

Posted by Kstewy16 on 03/15/10 at 12:59 PM ET

punish the ACT, not the RESULT.

I see what you’re saying, but the result matters.  If I hit someone with my car I get a different punishment depending on whether he lives or dies.

Leonsis says it’s just a “shove”, I’d love to see his and Boo-hoo-derau’s reaction if someone gave Mike Green a little shove from behind near the boards that would end his season.  They’d be trying to get everyone to get their pitchforks and crying for whoever to hear.

Ovechkin’s hit wasn’t the worst thing in the world, but I don’t think anyone can complain if he gets another game or two to sit it out again and think of why he’s reckless and not respectful of his fellow players.

Posted by Mr Deez on 03/15/10 at 01:05 PM ET

@Mog

Actually, the NHL has intent to injure penalties, so right there I think your argument against my point is invalidated.  And as for your real-world example, most criminal law is based around intent: right there is the difference between murder and manslaughter.  Without intent, most of the people arrested on terrorism charges would get minor sentences based on possession of weapons/explosives, and as far as I know, possession of fertilizer is not a crime.

Yes, you cannot 100% determine an intent to injure based on video, for that you need to read the guy’s mind at the time, and obviously we cannot do that.  Does Ovie calling Campbell to apologize mitigate the circumstances?  No, but it does show that he probably did not intend to hurt him…and is the right thing to do ( some people get more upset at these phone calls, I’m not sure why).

And we can establish some facts about intent:

1.  Game:  These are not division rivals, nor was the game very physical up to that point.  So why would Ovie go out and decide to try to injure a player?

2.  History: Downie’s slew foot happened at :40 of the first period.  It did occur just after Stamkos was hit, but after the Cooke hit, you have to consider there are a lot of players out there who feel that the Pens should have their best player targeted.  I am not saying this is a good thing, only that this is how it is.  I don’t think Chicago is in a similar situation.

So on these two points, I think we can safely say that there was no premeditation (essentially the main action required for intent to injure) involved.

Now, if you want to make the claim that if a player is given a penalty for an action, and that action results in a multi-game injury, the player should be suspended, then that is a point worth considering.  But then you are making a blanket rule.  There are merits to this, but you have to consider repercussions:

1.  A bottom 4 forward or bottom 2 d-man might extend an injury to ensure the suspension for a superstar player.  IN NO WAY AM I SAYING THIS WHAT CAMPBELL IS DOING, but if you had suspensions based on the length of an injury, this possibility is created.

2.  Players often return earlier than expected.  So if player A is expected to be out 10 games, and player B got suspended based on that, does that mean player A must be out 10 games?  If player A comes back after 6 games, what about the suspended player?  Do you reduce the suspension?

So here is my happy middle-ground solution:

First, establish a difference between reckless play and dirty play, with intent being the dividing line.  Next, fine players for reckless pay.  If Campbell is out for 20 games (or more because of the playoffs), then fine Ovie for Campbell’s salary per game.  Of course, this does make it little unfair, since hurting Campbell costs less than hurting Ovie, but it does help protect your stars and penalizes the offender based on length of injury.  By fining them, you avoid having less valuable players stay out of the lineup just to keep a star player out of the game.

Posted by jon on 03/15/10 at 01:44 PM ET

I agree with the major penalty for boarding, but that’s where it should have stopped.  I disagree with the game misconduct and think a suspension is not justified. 

He pushed Campbell who was off balance just away from the boards, it wasn’t dirty. 

If Campbell who is an excellent skater is on the center of his skates, he goes into the boards and bounces off and there is no problem at all and probably a minor penalty at best.

I think having suspensions based on how injured someone is puts too much control in Toronto’s hands and take it away from the players on the ice and the inequity of discipline does nothing to curtail dangerous playing.  Scrap the instigator penalty and let the teams determine what is over the line, like the 80’s. 

Phaneuf’s boarding on Kopitar on New Years Eve was much more violent and intentional and all he got was the 5/game with no suspension.  Not sure how people are saying Ovechkin warrants more discipline.  That’s ridiculous.

Posted by Light_da_lamp on 03/15/10 at 01:57 PM ET

yes.

I just read the headline. All this talk of headshots, violence and suspensions is really exhausting.

Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 03/15/10 at 02:16 PM ET

Leonsis says it’s just a “shove”, I’d love to see his and Boo-hoo-derau’s reaction if someone gave Mike Green a little shove from behind near the boards that would end his season.  They’d be trying to get everyone to get their pitchforks and crying for whoever to hear.

Ovechkin’s hit wasn’t the worst thing in the world, but I don’t think anyone can complain if he gets another game or two to sit it out again and think of why he’s reckless and not respectful of his fellow players.

Posted by Mr Deez on 03/15/10 at 02:05 PM ET

True dat

Posted by lordhogie from Calgary on 03/15/10 at 02:23 PM ET

Wasn’t it Bruce B. who had a fit earlier this season because he said Ovechkin was being targeted?  How ironic!  It is his boy who is doing the targeting, and he doesn’t care how he hits.  Bruce and Ted need to stop being apologists for Ovechkin and start to get him to respect the players around him.  Ovechkin, the “passionate” player all his fanboys love to talk about, seems only “passionate” about throwing careless hits these days.

Posted by VAHockeyFan on 03/15/10 at 02:33 PM ET

you’re half right.  the recklessness (i.e. potential danger) should matter.  the result (i.e. injury vs no injury) should NOT count

I don’t buy this.  You liken recklessness to potential danger, and argue that the act should only be punishable.  So if you think the act “potentially” could have caused a concussion, but only a headache occurred, how do you make your punishment accordingly?

Also, the “result” of a high stick is a bloody face sometimes.  Are you saying all high sticks should result in a double minor then because that is the potential danger?

Posted by Ruce226 on 03/15/10 at 02:47 PM ET

The actual injury should not count at all.  What should be looked at is simply the act that Ovechkin did.  He pushed Campbell near the boards in a position where it was fairly likely he would fall into it, causing a fairly high possibility of injury.  This is a conduct penalty, so we look at the act, not a result penalty.

If Campbell hadn’t been injured, should that have been taken into account? No, of course not. No reason to take the opposite into account either.

I think that the game misconduct is the right call and that’s it.

Posted by moore00 from Columbus, OH/Grand Rapids, MI on 03/15/10 at 03:13 PM ET

Mog, that is only true in civil trials (for the most part).

Posted by moore00 from Columbus, OH/Grand Rapids, MI on 03/15/10 at 03:17 PM ET

Ted Leonsis’s statement that Ovie shouldn’t be suspended because hes the “league MVP” is exactly what is wrong with the NHL. 

it shouldnt matter who you are or what you’ve done.  if its a suspendable hit, its a suspendable hit.  if the refs dont make a call there…fair enough.  but the refs on the ice called it boarding.  boarding is pretty dangerous and that’s a suspendable hit. 

if the owners dont get it, then who will? 

also Leonsis is the dumbest person in the history of hockey.  and while the candidness can be ok, id rather never here what homer thought an owner wants to give outside of general media responses.

Posted by whatever from yes on 03/15/10 at 03:23 PM ET

@jon

“...but after the Cooke hit, you have to consider there are a lot of players out there who feel that the Pens should have their best player targeted.”

Seriously? What players have you talked to that say Crosby or any other Pen should be a target now? The closest I have heard is “what if it was Crosby?” not “Crosby deserves this to happen to him…” and those two statements are not at all the same sort of thing. (I actually think this is a silly thing for people to say since Savard isn’t exactly chopped liver… I mean, I’m not a Bruins fan and I know who he is…)

Pretty sure this isn’t and shouldn’t be considered when handing out suspensions. It is important to keep in mind that as fans we are much more emotionally tied to the teams we like than the actual players on the teams.

Also, Alex calling Soupy after the hit just shows that someone at the Caps organization thought that would be a good idea for him to do that, it doesn’t at all show that he didn’t intend to hurt him. I could go punch someone in the face and then ask if they were alright but that doesn’t at all prove that I didn’t want to hurt them by punching them in the face. While I don’t think he actually intended to cause injury, the play he made was reckless and that should be punished or he will just keep doing it (as he has done… and will continue to do, since obviously the NHL isn’t interested in punishing this sort of thing seriously).

Fining players as a solution will never work, they make far too much money for it to matter to them.

Posted by clownfat from Seattle on 03/15/10 at 04:55 PM ET

He deserved at least one game, two is supposed to send a message.

However, I don’t agree with the league suspending him and not Matt Cooke. If anything, that speaks volumes above anything that they’re trying to prove here.

Posted by Hockey Chump from New York on 03/15/10 at 06:00 PM ET

here is something to think about, when i started hockey i was playing house league pee wee. In my first year are coach would make us practice how to hit properly and how to heard a player when they enter three feet zone near the boards, i started getting better and moved up to A hockey the next year,  their was little to no coaching on how to hit, and when not to,  the goal was always how to win.

When i moved up to AA the year after that everything was opposite. no longer did the coaches yell at you when you did a reckless hit they encouraged it .
This is one of the main reasons we have this problem in the NHL and Juniors. these players have been told to kill since they were kids and to never think about the player, only think about the team.

Posted by ken on 03/16/10 at 12:28 AM ET

listen i am 58 years old and have played and seen a lot of hockey ovechkin got screwed first of all that bonehead was getting ready to fall before a.o. hit him number two the baltimore clippers played rough hockey and the hits were a lot harder than today and these guys did it without helmets so the nhl and gary shitman or bettman whatever that jerks name is can kiss it where the sun don’t shine   bunch of boo hoo cry babies

Posted by mike from baltimore on 03/16/10 at 01:57 AM ET

the problem is not should O V be suspened that problem is the zebras are not making the right calls.they miss a lot..they if anyone need to be held acountable..as a huge caps fan for over 25yrs..I have seen hundreds of bad and non-calls..Ive seen my team lose in post because of this…these zebras need may be suspened for their actions they need to set the bar higher .and the nhl if they want this sport to contiue they need at the very least be consistant wjth the calls acros the board…every game…go caps…98caps

Posted by 98caps from u.s.a on 03/16/10 at 08:00 AM ET

Oh, no boarding call then 98caps?  And mike from baltimore - How do you know Soupy was going to fall?  OV surely helped him along the way, and even fell on top of him for good measure.  Just like Boohoodreu, looking for an out.  “Oh his skate toe picked the ice”.

Posted by Hoser on 03/16/10 at 10:24 AM ET

I THINK THAT CALL WAS UNCALLED FOR AND IT WAS EXCESSIVE. HE ONLY PUSHED HIM AND HE WENT DOWN. IT WAS AN ACCIDENT. AFTER ALL IT’S HOCKEY AND NOT GOLF. OVECHKIN SHOULD BE UNSUSPENDED.

Posted by caps fan on 03/16/10 at 11:27 AM ET

no he should not be suspended two games for the hit ,all players do the same hit co.oke is a very dangous player he does go for the headshots now that should be taken out of the hockey games

Posted by maryram from victoria b,c on 03/17/10 at 07:12 PM ET