Wednesday, March 9, 2011

NHL Release - Mike Murphy's Comments Zdeno Chara Hit on Max Pacioretty

3:44 PM  Unknown  9 comments

Wednesday, 03.09.2011 / 3:25 PM / News

TORONTO – National Hockey League Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Mike Murphy today issued the following statement on Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara's hit in NHL game #996 last night against the Montreal Canadiens:

"I conducted a hearing with Boston Bruins' defenseman Zdeno Chara with respect to the major penalty for interference and game misconduct that he was assessed at 19:44 of the second period for a hit on Max Pacioretty of the Montreal Canadiens.

"After a thorough review of the video I can find no basis to impose supplemental discipline. This hit resulted from a play that evolved and then happened very quickly -- with both players skating in the same direction and with Chara attempting to angle his opponent into the boards. I could not find any evidence to suggest that, beyond this being a correct call for interference, that Chara targeted the head of his opponent, left his feet or delivered the check in any other manner that could be deemed to be dangerous.

"This was a hockey play that resulted in an injury because of the player colliding with the stanchion and then the ice surface. In reviewing this play, I also took into consideration that Chara has not been involved in a supplemental discipline incident during his 13-year NHL career."

Posted in: ,,,,,,,,

9 comments:

So the NHL has let it be known that the stanchion is a part of the playing surface, and that any hits resulting in a player crashing into it are legal and acceptable, regardless of injury. The league will allow this type of hit to continue. The players can be assured they need not feel responsible for such hits, and furthermore they may consider the stanchion 'in play' while lining up a hit as there will be no consequence stemming from injury. This is a very scary ruling indeed. Am I off on this, Kamal?

Kairos

Hey buddy,

Honestly it's hard to disagree with what you said here, given the ruling. I think that once again, the NHL missed the boat here.

Moreover, what they have now done is setup a TRUE grudge match the next time these teams meet on March 24. You know that both teams will be on the edge and the possibility of something even uglier happening just increased.

"I also took into consideration that Chara has not been involved in a supplemental discipline incident during his 13-year NHL career."

And after breaking a guys neck and maybe his career, he still wont. So, next time, you can say this shit again.

Let me touch on another subject or three: awareness, reaction time, and location of hit. 1. Awareness. As anyone who's played a sport within a confined place can tell you, the more you play within that space the more familiar you become with it. In fact, once you've done it for awhile it's as if you could tell your way around with your eyes closed. Does it matter what sport I'm talking about? Do I need to point out how the observation is relevant to this situation? Good. 2. Reaction time. Within about 3/10ths of a second, a MLB batter has time to determine, process, and react to a pitchers arm angle, speed, ball direction, and seam angle. Then he decides where to swing. Chara knew it was Pax before the chase began. Once the puck was by him, he knew who it was, where they were, and what the possible outcomes were. Which leads me to 3. Location on ice. It has been argued that had the hit been elsewhere on the ice, Charas follow-thru would have been identical, including the high follow through which ultimately guided Paxs head into the stanchion. I argue that a: had that been true, it would still have been a late, illegal, lateral hit that targeted the head and caused injury. And b: That given their location on the ice, Chara not only knew who he was facing, but was also aware of their position on the ice. THEN, his decision, based on factors ultimately known, regardless of the short time span, Is set : "it's a late hit, but I have the perfect chance to rub him out right into the stanchion." Decision made. Play carried out in full. Did Zdeno want to break his neck? Figuratively? Yep. Literally? Cmon, not a chance. He prolly feels awful, as he should. He knows he fucked up big time. But did he know what he was doing? Yes. Did he know who he was hitting? Yes. Did he make a decision knowing the factors involved? Yes. Did he over react? Yes.
Feedback K-Rock?

Kairos

Ps I always have short posts because I'm on my iPhone typing. So ya gotta know I needed to get this off my chest, what a hassle to type it all out! Sorry if there's any spelling errors. :)

In the middle of #3, I meant to mention that given their known location on the ice, Character knew he had the rare opportunity (as EE pointed out) to run a guy into the turn buckle. Charas follow thru sealed it for me.

Kairos

My level of frustration is high so I may not be in my right mind but taking a page from law... the actor either knew (intended) or deliberately closed his mind to the risk (recklessness) that his action would result in the harm suffered by the victim.

Chara is a Norris Trophy winner. You do not get to that level and not know exactly were you or on the ice and waht you are doing.

In terms of the NHL, shame on them for thier actions today. The decision only demonstrates that dicipline should be taken out of the hands of the league and given to an independant 3rd party neutral that understands actions and consequences.

Antonio (Kairos)

@Antonio- do you also use 'Kairos' as a handle?

Kairos

I have been using the pseudonym "Kairos", on this site, since my first post on January 21, 2011, in response to an article Kamal posted on January 19th. In my employment, I am required to demonstrate neutrality, therefore the pseudonym. However, if you have been signing off as Kairos before January 21, I am more then willing to change my "handle" so as to not confuse the readers.

Antonio (Kairos)

Ha! That's pretty funny, I've been using the handle for about a decade. I'd never encountered anyone who used the same. Kairos is mostly a long forgotten word you sure don't find it around much! Nice to meet you Antonio :)

Kairos (Matthew d'Awe)

Post a Comment