I agree, totally unnecessary. There should be some kind of call here, hist elbow smashed Kopecky’s head into the boards as he was getting up from the ice.

Posted by Sp4r7an on 02/23/08 at 09:57 AM ET

Get used to it, that’s how teams are going to play the Wings.

Posted by bababooey on 02/23/08 at 10:35 AM ET

I think he should have let up, but I think he was committed to finish the check…  I don’t know if he could have let up at that point.

I don’t think it was dirty, but teams know to beat the better (read skilled) teams in this league you have to be physical and finish ALL your checks.

Posted by WingMan from The Q C on 02/23/08 at 10:39 AM ET

Unnecessary, sure, but it’s more than that. If Phaneuf expects to get any kind of respect as an elite defenseman he needs to stop making bonehead plays like this. I don’t have a problem with the physicality that is an integral part of his style; it’s usually both entertaining and very effective. But the hit on Kopecky didn’t suit any purpose and he could’ve avoided it easily or at least played the body instead of going for the head. That Kopecky had already fallen makes that even more pointless.

Oh and in addition, this is exactly why Detroit needs a pure enforcer. I like a lot Downey but he isn’t Kocur or McCarty. Neither of those would’ve let a hit like that slide, it doesn’t matter if it’s on a star player like Lids or a grinder like Kopecky, you can’t tolerate it.

Posted by Michael Wysocki from Gothenburg, Sweden on 02/23/08 at 10:42 AM ET

Intentional.  You’re in control of where your hips go, and he turned his hip to make sure that he sealed Kopecky for a second time.

Posted by George Malik from South Lyon, MI on 02/23/08 at 10:50 AM ET

What’s even more problematic is every Red Wing out there just stood there and did NOTHING for a teammate that was just cheapshoted.  That’s a joke.  I would slap them all with $500 fines.  As bababooey said, that is how teams are going to play the Wings.  Most of the Wings are finesse and when guys won’t even stick up for their teammates, why wouldn’t an opposing player do something like that?  That is why the Wings won’t be able to make it through four rounds of playoffs… teams are going to pound them.  They’re not tough like they were when the won Cups.

Posted by Sig from DC on 02/23/08 at 11:10 AM ET

a very pronger-esq play, and we all know what a punk, cheap-shot artist he is. great role model dion.

Posted by christpuncher from Detroit, MI on 02/23/08 at 11:11 AM ET

Oh and in addition, this is exactly why Detroit needs a pure enforcer. I like a lot Downey but he isn’t Kocur or McCarty. Neither of those would’ve let a hit like that slide, it doesn’t matter if it’s on a star player like Lids or a grinder like Kopecky, you can’t tolerate it.

I don’t see that would make any difference.  If he was going to hit Kopecky, I can’t imagine he’s be deterred by fighting with someone of comparable size (or even smaller) and then sitting in the box to rest for five minutes.  Especially if it was a hit that would take out Lidstrom.  (“Sure, you beat me up, but I took out your best defenseman!”)

Either a player has respect for his opponents or he doesn’t.  I don’t think you can beat it into anyone.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 02/23/08 at 11:13 AM ET

Kopecky came back and had many opportunities to teach Phaneuf that it was not acceptable.  You cannot expect a team to upset their roster to protect a player who will not stick up for himself.

There were many things that happened last night just
because Calgary has the worst ice of all the NHL sites in Canada.  I read somewhere they ranked in the top 5 worst ice category in the NHL.  Kopecky went down initially because of the ice.  The puck resembled a superball at times because of the ice.
Downey limped off because of the ice.  There were odd man rushes because defensemen went down because of the ice.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 02/23/08 at 01:13 PM ET

Tell that to Steve Yzerman who had Kocur and Probert riding shotgun.  Tell that to Brett Hull who had Tony Twist and Kelly Chase to fight his battles.  Tell that to the Great One who had Mary McSorley and Dave Semenko protecting him.  Tell that Alex Ovechkin who has Brashear there to deal with anyone who takes liberties.  Tell that to Sidney Crosby who has Georges Laraque there to make anyone who touches him eat his lunch.  I could go on and on.  Good enforcers absolutely do deter cheapshot artists from cheapshotting.  That is why the guys mentioned had or will have long careers.

Posted by Sig from DC on 02/23/08 at 01:13 PM ET

after he was knocked off balance,phaneuf seemed to look around and went head hunting. cheap, dirty, what else is there to say? sig has a very good point. a good enforcer is desperately needed. i’m sick of the total lack of respect from certain players in this league. these are the guys that make me wonder about roid rage and such. not to mention coaches that are responsible for sending out guys with that in mind. lets go red wings!!!!!

Posted by kate from pa. on 02/23/08 at 01:51 PM ET

I’m all for players letting up when other players are in a vulnerable position.  The game of hockey wasn’t meant to be a sport where other players are looking to take you out of a game if you slip or don’t have your head up for a split second.

And let’s face it, Phaneuf has the biggest chip on his shoulder this side of Chris Pronger so something like this is completely expected.

Posted by Shane from Saskatoon on 02/23/08 at 01:53 PM ET

Dion deliver a cheap shot? Why, you must be kidding.  After all, Larry Murphy waxed poetic numerous times in the pregame show about “what a nice guy” Scary Face is. Someone like that would never intentionally try to hurt someone, would he?

The reality is Scary Face regularly goes out of his way to deliver hits that tiptoe along the line if they don’t actually cross it. And it’s not a fight with Downey that’s going to send the appropriate message to this lunkhead. It’s a hit delivered with skill and violence at exactly the appropriate time (i.e., when it’s not expecting it) that will do the trick.

Ahem, “Calling Mr. McCarty. Calling Mr. McCarty.”

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 02/23/08 at 01:58 PM ET

OlderThanChelios said:  And it’s not a fight with Downey that’s going to send the appropriate message to this lunkhead. It’s a hit delivered with skill and violence at exactly the appropriate time (i.e., when it’s not expecting it) that will do the trick.

Yep!  The gigantic hit that Cleary put on Phaneuf last year in the playoffs is an example of that.  I don’t think Phaneuf ever laid another big hit in the rest of that series.

Sure, he “sort of” got even with the hit he put on Hudler waaaay back in November but that was in a losing cause and he just wanted to make it known that he’s still capable of the open ice hit.

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 02/23/08 at 02:09 PM ET

I personally think the Wings lack of response for the hit on Kopecky sends a bigger message than any enforcer would send.  The Wings are known around the league as being soft, teams know that playing them physical gets them out of their game and disrupts their flow.  I don’t know if always dressing an enforcer is the answer, but a few tougher players like a Darcy Tucker or Ethan Moreau types are always willing and able to stand up for teammates and send a message, and they play top line minutes also.  Heaven forbid we have a few power forwards around here.

Posted by bababooey on 02/23/08 at 03:44 PM ET

The Wings are known around the league as being soft, teams know that playing them physical gets them out of their game and disrupts their flow

Here we go again with the “Wings are soft” line. Next we’ll hear that Chelios is old.

The wings were down 1-0 to a team that has offensive productivity problems. Do you A) go get into a fight ? or B) bury 2 or 3 in the back of their net?

Also, what happens if instead of getting Dion to fight you just end up taking penalties? Chelios was out by that point leaving 2, count em, 2 regular defensemen in the lineup. That means you’ve got inexperienced defensemen on the PK. Not exactly the best situation.

Last years run with Calgary, San Jose, and the Ducks showed this team doesn’t scare easy, and can make you pay where it counts, on the score board.

Posted by wingsfanindenver on 02/23/08 at 04:01 PM ET

@wingsfanindenver:

You took the words right out of my keyboard.

I think an additional factor is the game today, so the Wings couldn’t take a chance on tiring the defense out any more than absolutely necessary, they were getting plenty of shots, so there was a chance of tying up the game at any point…and it was the last meeting in the regular season between the teams.  Just do the best you can to get a win and leave any retribution for the playoffs - when there is carryover from one game to the next.

And regarding a hard hit - that would be an appropriate response, but must be delivered within the flow of the game to be effective and not also put a player out of defensive position - very important when the defense is getting younger and less experienced by the shift.

(And both Tucker and Moreau look pretty close to being washed up many nights - or one fight away from wrecking a shoulder and being out of the lineup, thus useless.)

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 02/23/08 at 04:16 PM ET

The Wings are known around the league as being soft.  Whether or not you believe that, it is believed through out the league.  I actually think the Wings have toughened up a bit the last few years but what I stated was a fact.

Posted by bababooey on 02/23/08 at 06:07 PM ET

And regarding a hard hit - that would be an appropriate response, but must be delivered within the flow of the game to be effective and not also put a player out of defensive position…

Hey, what happened to the Miss B that wanted to fire a puck at the jaw of Lady Laperriere. Come on, Miss B, you ain’t goin’ soft on us are ya?

Personally, I couldn’t care less if a hit (one delivered with skill and violence on Scary Face) occurs “within the flow of the game.” All I care about is seeing that jackass flat on his back on the ice with D-Mac standing over him. As of right now, I’m hopin’ and a prayin’ for D-Mac’s addition to the roster and for a Wings vs. Flames matchup in the playoffs.

Be afraid, Scary Face. Be very afraid!

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 02/23/08 at 07:27 PM ET

OTC, I’m afraid you’re mistaken.  It was a puck to the jaw of Viktor Fedorov to keep him quiet, and a brick to the face of Laperrier.  I believe the Spanish have a proverb that “revenge is a dish best served cold.”  I’m waiting for the appropriate moment.  (Plus I can’t afford the time off work to fly to Colorado right now.) 

As for the supposed softness of the Wings - I wonder how much is the attitude of the actual players as opposed to media and fans?  Players have a much better read on who is dirty, who works hard, who is an ineffective player.  Plus the way to disrupt ANY team is to hit them so they can’t get their offense going - whether the team is especially skillful or not.  It’s just more important against a team that has a competent offense than one that couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 02/23/08 at 08:16 PM ET

Where was Downey?  He had no problem taking on Laperriere - after a legit hit, to boot - but he can’t defend his guy after one of Dion’s notorious cheap shots?  Does he only go after guys who are the same height as he is?
The Wings are very good but they don’t have the extra layer of grit needed to win the Cup.  Maybe McCarty will wake them up.  Maybe.

Posted by A.M. on 02/23/08 at 10:36 PM ET

“Ahem, I repeat, paging Mr. Darren McCarty, thats McCarty party of one.”

Posted by bp29er from livonia on 02/24/08 at 03:28 AM ET