Curtis Foster out on stretcher.....

[Guest DetroitBoy313]

Just watching the Sharks & Wild game there was a race for the puck towards the boards and Mitchell from SJ ran into Foster from the Wild into the boards pretty hard and now he is being taken out on a stretcher,hate to see this kind of stuff.Hope he turns out to be alright with no major injuries.Just wanted to share this with you guys.

[RedStormRising 7]

Watching the Wild - Sharks game and Foster was going in to touch the puck for icing, and Mitchell raced in and shoved Foster into he boards, causing Foster to be put on a backboard and carried off the ice. It just happened so video probably won't be up until later, but here are some questions for you:

Question #1: Should Mitchell be suspended for this hit?

Question #2: Should touch-icing be replaced with automatic icing after it crosses the goal line to prevent situations such as this one?

What do you guys think?

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

That sounds awful. Hope he's okay.

Was it a dirty hit?

[Guest DetroitBoy313]

I wouldn't say it was a dirty hit but just a race to negate the icing,both skating pretty hard.

[Echolalia 2,961]

theres already a thread on this, but whatever

I definitely think a suspension should be placed. Its these types of plays that aren't necessary at all in hockey. Its a no-threat situation, he's obviously not going to win the race to beat out the icing call, there's no reason to smash him into the boards. Especially with how fast players generally skate to get to an icing.

However, I don't think the nhl should adopt the no-touch icing rule. There are talented and quick enough players to beat out icing calls, and as long as there are in the nhl, then the rule should stay how it is. The players just need to be more respectful to each other, adn realize they can do a lot of damage out there acting as retarded as they do sometimes.

[Vincanni 1]

Yet another reason no-touch-icing should be implored. I haven't seen the incident but when it hits youtube I'd be anxious to see.

[SpiritFan 37]

Yeah, I am watching it - it wasn't necessarily 'dirty'... he could have pulled up & not hit him so hard, but it was something that happens. Mitchell immediately put his hand on Foster as if to say "Oh crap! Are you ok?" & showed immediate concern for Foster.

They just gave an update that it is NOT a neck or back issue, it is a leg injury.

Just a note - the Wild team members were all huddled around Foster when he was down & being put on the stretcher & it was really nice to see Jeremy Roenick in there from San Jose showing extreme concern & was trying to help. He was going to help lift him onto the stretcher... he was there the whole time Foster was down. Nice to see some mutual respect from the players.

[Yzerfan1999 81]

I say yes to both.

[RedStormRising 7]

theres already a thread on this, but whatever

Yes, I know. They were made at virtually the same time... my bad.

[umredwing11 2]

1) Yes

2) I personally feel that automatic icing is the most annoying thing. In college hockey, where this is the case, it is so frustrating when it is called icing even though your player obviously would've gotten there first. This just adds to the pile-up of stoppages in hockey--something that the league has been trying to minimalize (i.e. touch up offsides, intential passing eliminates an icing). I do understand though the problem that touch-up icing can cause injury, but so can a skate hitting a players neck--but we don't wear neck guards to stop this. I don't know, I just don't like the idea of this.

[LidsFan 68]

It was great to see the San Jose players be just as concerned for Foster as the Wild players were. I also liked how the San Jose trainer went straight over to Foster to offer help, when he saw that he was hurt. I felt bad for Mitchell, you could see that he was upset and that he did not intentionally try and hurt Foster, Mitchell looked like he was going to cry. I hope that Foster is going to be O.K.

[Gutierrez 7]

He was being attended to for quite some time and looked like he was in real pain. I too was watching the game and one of the announcers said that they put a splint on Fosters leg and that it was probably a fractured femur, not sure if that is accurate or not. I also agree that no touch icing should be put into effect becuase is racing for the puck to keep control really worth what happened tonight? Hopefully Foster is alright. It was cool like others have mentiones that Roenick, Grier, and other Sharks were talking and helping Foster out, very classy.

[Blood On The Ice 15]

He was being attended to for quite some time and looked like he was in real pain. I too was watching the game and one of the announcers said that they put a splint on Fosters leg and that it was probably a fractured femur, not sure if that is accurate or not. I also agree that no touch icing should be put into effect becuase is racing for the puck to keep control really worth what happened tonight? Hopefully Foster is alright. It was cool like others have mentiones that Roenick, Grier, and other Sharks were talking and helping Foster out, very classy.

The NHL Network, on the fly, reported that it was indeed a broken femur and he is out for the remainder of the season.

[eva unit zero 271]

I love how people see a freak injury and immediately start with the 'that's why we need no-touch icing' as if this sort of thing happens once every game instead of once every five years.

Glad to hear Foster didn't hurt his neck or back, though.

EDIT: Spelling.

Edited March 20, 2008 by eva unit zero

[Donaldjr2448 43]

As much as I hate injuries, injuries are part of sports, and hard, tough play usually leads to injuries. But no touch icing will slow the game down big time. They have it in College Hockey and its really a drag because it makes the players give up on the play and I really don't like that! I think the NHL would make a huge mistake implenting no touch icing!

[stevkrause 1,247]

1) Yes

2) I personally feel that automatic icing is the most annoying thing. In college hockey, where this is the case, it is so frustrating when it is called icing even though your player obviously would've gotten there first. This just adds to the pile-up of stoppages in hockey--something that the league has been trying to minimalize (i.e. touch up offsides, intential passing eliminates an icing). I do understand though the problem that touch-up icing can cause injury, but so can a skate hitting a players neck--but we don't wear neck guards to stop this. I don't know, I just don't like the idea of this.

I'm with you 100% on this, no-touch icing is a HORRIBLE idea, it would kill the flow of the game and just hurt the game

Players in todays NHL have NOWHERE near the amount of respect for one another as they did in prior years and this is where the real problem lies, leading back to your first point - suspension, yes.

The NHL needs to address this issue and this issue alone. They need to take out the dirty plays and ACTUALLY hold players accountable for these actions, regardless of their "star status" and they also need to stop vilifying power forwards and TRUE enforcers who drop the mits with honor, therefore weeding out the goons and cheap shot artists (Tootoo, Simon, etc...)

Players need to police themselves again, respect one another again and KNOW they will be held accountable for their actions, both on the ice and off the ice - You run at a guy's head against the boards - suspension, you slash a guy maliciously - suspension, stomp on a guy - bigger suspension, cross check a guy to the mug - SEVERE suspension or take a run when a guy is helpless and you had every chance to hold up - SUSPENSION

All of these need to be without pay and increase upon offenses and until the NHLPA and NHL get together and really take a stand about this, it will continue to present itself as a bush league with no integrity

[Konnan511 1,736]

Well it's official: Kurtis Foster out with a displaced fracture of his left femur.

ESPNo NHL

"Foster was slightly ahead of Mitchell as they chased a puck toward the boards behind the Minnesota goal in the second period. The 5-foot-11 San Jose center, who was hoping to prevent an icing call, put out his arms just enough to disrupt the precarious balance of the 6-foot-5 Foster, who already appeared to be falling when the players' skates collided."

Sounds like it wasn't really Mitchell's fault, but I have yet to see the incident...

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Well it's official: Kurtis Foster out with a displaced fracture of his left femur.

ESPNo NHL

"Foster was slightly ahead of Mitchell as they chased a puck toward the boards behind the Minnesota goal in the second period. The 5-foot-11 San Jose center, who was hoping to prevent an icing call, put out his arms just enough to disrupt the precarious balance of the 6-foot-5 Foster, who already appeared to be falling when the players' skates collided."

Sounds like it wasn't really Mitchell's fault, but I have yet to see the incident...

I saw the replays last night. In my opinion, it was definitely Mitchell's fault.

He didn't crush him or anything, but they're both racing towards the end boards and he definitely put his arms up and gave Foster a decent shove, which knocked him down and sent him awkwardly into the boards.

It was a completely unnecessary and dangerous move on his part. He had little to no shot at negating the icing because Foster was ahead of him and in good position to make the touch.

EDIT: to be clear, I don't think it was a dirty play by Mitchell, but it was definitely bad judgement.

No youtube yet, but it's in the highlights on TSN.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/

Edited March 20, 2008 by haroldsnepsts

[OsGOD 3]

I did not and have not see the play but from what trusted opinons i have read above it doesn't sound like it was dirty.

Idk its a contact sport... sometime freak things happen during contact sports.

I wish foster a Speedy recovery... traction is never fun

[Zion 93]

Mitchell is an awesome player. Definitely didn't try to hurt the guy. It happens... I think the trip (not a boarding major) was a good call. Don't think it warrants a suspension. I still remember Mark Tinordi...

[stevkrause 1,247]

Mitchell is an awesome player. Definitely didn't try to hurt the guy. It happens... I think the trip (not a boarding major) was a good call. Don't think it warrants a suspension. I still remember Mark Tinordi...

ok, just saw the actual clip and I take back what I said about a suspension on this play - I still stand by what I said about suspensions for dirty hits, but after seeing the replay, there was nothing Mitchell could do, he even tried to hold up at the last second if you watch the clip again and their angles were just too bad... not a dirty hit at all...

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

I don't like it when players get run into the boards from behind - it's hard to just outlaw that from the game though because it would soon lead to no hitting at all - period. It's how Nick got hurt - and alot of other guys get hurt.

It looked like it was unnecessary to lay him out like that - but hard to say if he should get suspended. If Foster had not been hurt - we'd think nothing of the hit.

Sucks for the Wild - hoping they can still win the NW division. Screw the Avs........

[wingslogo19 281]

I don't think that he was trying to hurt him, but it was a bad move on his part.. I like that JR went in there to see if he was ok

[up2here 41]

I'm with you 100% on this, no-touch icing is a HORRIBLE idea, it would kill the flow of the game and just hurt the game

Players in todays NHL have NOWHERE near the amount of respect for one another as they did in prior years and this is where the real problem lies, leading back to your first point - suspension, yes.

The NHL needs to address this issue and this issue alone. They need to take out the dirty plays and ACTUALLY hold players accountable for these actions, regardless of their "star status" and they also need to stop vilifying power forwards and TRUE enforcers who drop the mits with honor, therefore weeding out the goons and cheap shot artists (Tootoo, Simon, etc...)

Players need to police themselves again, respect one another again and KNOW they will be held accountable for their actions, both on the ice and off the ice - You run at a guy's head against the boards - suspension, you slash a guy maliciously - suspension, stomp on a guy - bigger suspension, cross check a guy to the mug - SEVERE suspension or take a run when a guy is helpless and you had every chance to hold up - SUSPENSION

All of these need to be without pay and increase upon offenses and until the NHLPA and NHL get together and really take a stand about this, it will continue to present itself as a bush league with no integrity

No-touch does no disprupt the flow at all.They use it in junior hockey and it works fine.

[Deke 0]

It didn't look like a hit whatsoever to me. A hit mean he put his balance and weight into him. It really looks like Mithcell knew they both had too much speed and put his arms out to try and create space. Whether or not that caused foster to go off balance and that's what caused him to hit the boards like that is up for debate.

But I definetly don't think that was an intentional hit.

As far as touch ups go, I don't think they belong in the NHL. It's great to see a near icing averted by someone with the will to get there first.

If every injury that occured resulted caused a change in rules, hockey would just be 1 man shoot outs played on padded carpet with nerf sticks and pucks.

Injuries suck, but that's part of the bargain. To have a sport with the passion and the level of pure physical battle like hockey, you have to play it on the edge. That edge should be well regulated. But if you regulate the play too far to one side of that edge, you lose the play that makes hockey a battle worth fighting in the first place. Every hockey player knows this and damned if they don't get paid well enough to take the risks.