What does everyone think of Ballard's hit on Malkin?

[Wombat 26]

Ballard went pretty low. That's partially because Malkin is so tall, but the hit was boarderline. I'm alright with no penalty, and I would have been alright with a 2 minute call. In the video, I didn't see Malkin jump at all. It looks to me that he reaches out, then Ballard makes contact and flips him. Malkin needs to keep his head up.

I have to say I'm starting to like Crosby more these past few weeks. In hockey, you want to keep your stars clean. When someone comes in with a devastating, boarderline hit (and in the heat of the moment at that speed, it could definitely look like he went too low) on your best player, you shoot first and ask questions later. I like that the Pens did not cheapshot Ballard; instead, one guy manned up and took him on face to face. THAT is great, passionate hockey.

Kudos to Ballard for firing up his team. Kudos to Crosby for manning up and seeking clean retribution for the hit.

[OsGOD 3]

Crybaby should put that sissy mask back on his helmet... his beliefe he has balls without it is bluring his vision on when to try to use them.... GREAT HIT.... Jack ass fight

Edited April 7, 2009 by OsGOD

[syntax 359]

Perfectly executed hip-check IMO. Totally clean.

Makes me miss Vlad.

*****-boy Crosby got his face knocked in a little too, which is nice.

Edited April 7, 2009 by syntax

[Guest micah]

Yeah, but they should react like the old timers did. You take the hit, and take note of who hit ya. Then you get them back later in the game. I don't recall Vladdy having to fight anyone when he laid that world famous hip check on Claude Lemieux. I don't remember Rob Blake having to fight a whole ton after his awesome hip checks. Maybe it's just me though.

I don't know if you really want players reacting like the old-timers did. If Gordie Howe would have taken that hit, there wouldn't have been a fight - instead, Goordie would have butt-ennded Ballard in the teeth behind the play later on in the game. I'd way rather see the fight:)

Good on Crosby here. I like players who stick up for their Captain, and I like Captains who stick up for their players. Crosby sent a message to his teammates, "I might be among the best players in the league, but I am not so good that I am too valuable to have your back". Could he have gotten hurt? Sure. Is it likely that he would have been hurt? No. In mu oppinion, the slim chance of an injurry to Crosby was more than offset by the good that came to the Penguins players, seeing that Crosby doesn't think that his face and hands are too precious to risk. I like this move. The hit was borderline - dirty, and Crosby did what Crosby should have done. This ought not be his job, but it needed to be done and nobody else was jumping in. Nice hit by Ballard (though if he injurred Malkin's knee with it I'd be calling for his head) and a nice job by Crosby proving that he is a complete hockey player and a pretty good leader to boot. Good hockey, right there.

[OsGOD 3]

I bet if hasek did that to Malkin (like he did to gaborik) then Crybaby would have tried to fight Dom.... that would be a sight to see hehe

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

I just don't see what there is to stand up for in a clean hit. He could respond with some physical play of his own instead of pulling this stuff. Not that I really care though.

This is so typical of the anit-Crosby stuff on this board. These fights after "clean hits" thing has been going on for awhile now and is almost a nightly occurrence. But Sid does it and it's news. You can't count on all the collective LGW fingers and toes how many of these types of fights have happened this year.

Did anyone not notice the hullabaloo that ensued after Flip knocked over MacArthur? s*** happens all the time now after a clean hit.

I stated in a thread not long ago that I don't like these type of fights because I feel a clean hit is just that and that you get off your can and go hit somebody else. I really loathe those types of fights.

In this instance, I have no idea where Crosby was on the ice, if he saw the hit at all or just the aftermath. IMO, playing defense for 20+ years, that hit looked a wee bit low to me. I have a fondness for that type of hit but I do it the way Brad Stuart does, not hunched over so much. Stuey goes in more like Rob Blake did in his prime, more ass first and more upright. I'm not a big fan of the low bridge type of hit and this one by all rights, is borderline. Malkin didn't help matters trying to avoid the hit the way he did but imo it looked a little low for my taste. I can see why folks think its a perfectly clean hit I just don't like a hit that is even questionably low. Too much risk of injury for my liking.

All that said, Crosby surprised me by challenging Ballard. I would give props to any Wings player who did that. And FYI-Ballard dropped his gloves first and Ballard wears a shield. So for all the dumbs***s who are complaining about Crosby's shield, take note that Ballard dropped them first and he's wearing one too. So ******* get over it. Jerome Iginla has fought with his shield on many times when facing an opponent who also has one on. s*** happens pretty fast. Don't be fecking hypocrites and point it out just b/c Crosby did it. Get some ******* perspective people (and you tools know who you are)

Edited April 7, 2009 by GordieSid&Ted

[Guest Shoreline]

This is so typical of the anit-Crosby stuff on this board. These fights after "clean hits" thing has been going on for awhile now and is almost a nightly occurrence. But Sid does it and it's news. You can't count on all the collective LGW fingers and toes how many of these types of fights have happened this year.

Did anyone not notice the hullabaloo that ensued after Flip knocked over MacArthur? s*** happens all the time now after a clean hit.

I stated in a thread not long ago that I don't like these type of fights because I feel a clean hit is just that and that you get off your can and go hit somebody else. I really loathe those types of fights.

In this instance, I have no idea where Crosby was on the ice, if he saw the hit at all or just the aftermath. IMO, playing defense for 20+ years, that hit looked a wee bit low to me. I have a fondness for that type of hit but I do it the way Brad Stuart does, not hunched over so much. Stuey goes in more like Rob Blake did in his prime, more ass first and more upright. I'm not a big fan of the low bridge type of hit and this one by all rights, is borderline. Malkin didn't help matters trying to avoid the hit the way he did but imo it looked a little low for my taste. I can see why folks think its a perfectly clean hit I just don't like a hit that is even questionably low. Too much risk of injury for my liking.

All that said, Crosby surprised me by challenging Ballard. I would give props to any Wings player who did that. And FYI-Ballard dropped his gloves first and Ballard wears a shield. So for all the dumbs***s who are complaining about Crosby's shield, take note that Ballard dropped them first and he's wearing one too. So ******* get over it. Jerome Iginla has fought with his shield on many times when facing an opponent who also has one on. s*** happens pretty fast. Don't be fecking hypocrites and point it out just b/c Crosby did it. Get some ******* perspective people (and you tools know who you are)

Actually, it's been discussed quite frequently by broadcasts, especially at the intermissions. More popularly, Don Cherry was all over players for wanting to fight after a clean hit, rather than get their ass up, teammates, or the player checked, maybe lining that player up for a clean hit later on, but moving along since hits like that are as regular and part of the game. I have a very high amount of respect for our Red Wings who mostly take similar hits, get up, and go score on the opponent to shove it in their faces, or deliver a jarring hit later on, to face the ******* who can't take hits and need teammates to stand up for them.

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

priceless! i ******* hate malkin. ballard kicks ass in my books. drilled malkin and beat crosby in a fight, that is before crosby pulled him down to end yet another one of his useless fights. throw more than one punch cindy! great player, bad fighter.

[Red Crazy 201]

The only thing wrong with that check is we don't see them more often. Ballard was a bit low but Malkin jumped so whatever. Malkin got up and shook it off so why the fight?

Crosby gets some press and we at LGW get to bash him= everybody wins! lol

[kozac 10]

You guys bashing Crosby are really out of your mind. Take the blinders off for once and respect a hockey player (don't look at the name) for doing the right thing.

I hate Crosby as much as anyone else, but when credit is due, I'll give it. He definitely deserves lots of credit for sticking up for his teammate like that. Doesn't matter if the hit was clean. You have to make the opposition think twice before hitting a star player. Why do think nobody ever hit Gretzky? Because Semenko would beat the s*** out of you if you did, legal or illegal hit, it didn't matter.

Crosby wasn't supposed to be the one fighting Ballard, of course, but since nobody else did, he took it upon himself. And trust me, after this incident, he won't have to take it upon himself ever again. This is called leading by example and is exactly what a captain supposed to do.

Also, please don't bash Crosby's fighting skills. He's not a fighter by any stretch of the imagination, but he's probably better than all but one of our red wings at it.

Lastly, we all know that if Datsyuk got hit in a similar fashion and Zetterberg stepped in and fought whoever hit him, you'd all be wetting you pants and putting Zetterberg up there with god and yelling "THIS IS WHY HE'S THE NEXT CAPTAIN"

Stay objective my friends...

[Mike 0]

You guys bashing Crosby are really out of your mind. Take the blinders off for once and respect a hockey player (don't look at the name) for doing the right thing.

I hate Crosby as much as anyone else, but when credit is due, I'll give it. He definitely deserves lots of credit for sticking up for his teammate like that. Doesn't matter if the hit was clean. You have to make the opposition think twice before hitting a star player. Why do think nobody ever hit Gretzky? Because Semenko would beat the s*** out of you if you did, legal or illegal hit, it didn't matter.

Crosby wasn't supposed to be the one fighting Ballard, of course, but since nobody else did, he took it upon himself. And trust me, after this incident, he won't have to take it upon himself ever again. This is called leading by example and is exactly what a captain supposed to do.

Also, please don't bash Crosby's fighting skills. He's not a fighter by any stretch of the imagination, but he's probably better than all but one of our red wings at it.

Lastly, we all know that if Datsyuk got hit in a similar fashion and Zetterberg stepped in and fought whoever hit him, you'd all be wetting you pants and putting Zetterberg up there with god and yelling "THIS IS WHY HE'S THE NEXT CAPTAIN"

Stay objective my friends...

Starting a fight after a clean, legal hit is the right thing? I think not.

Show me the rule where it says you cannot legally check star players? Doesn't exist.

It's hockey, you are going to get checked. Get up, skate and line up for a clean hit later. Respond with a clean hit, not a fight.

Edited April 8, 2009 by Mike

[BuckeyeWingsfan80 209]

The hit was clean.

Malkin shouldn't try to jump over hits because of this very reason.

Crysby is a ***** and is lucky he was able to wrestle Ballard to the ground before Ballard really lit him up.

[Hockeytown_Ryan 122]

Starting a fight after a clean, legal hit is the right thing? I think not.

Show me the rule where it says you cannot legally check star players? Doesn't exist.

It's hockey, you are going to get checked. Get up, skate and line up for a clean hit later. Respond with a clean hit, not a fight.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Thank You - Should the "face of the NHL" be starting fights after clean hits? Nope..

One of these games he's gonna pick a fight with someone who is gonna CLEAN HIS CLOCK! and that player will get

crapped on for defending himself. I think Ballard should of screwed him up, I Understand he wants to stick up for his guys, But it was a clean hit- IMO Crosby should of went after Malkin for keeping his head down.......

[kozac 10]

Starting a fight after a clean, legal hit is the right thing? I think not.

Show me the rule where it says you cannot legally check star players? Doesn't exist.

It's hockey, you are going to get checked. Get up, skate and line up for a clean hit later. Respond with a clean hit, not a fight.

Of course there is no rule like this. There is also no rule against accidentally bumping the goalie or spraying the goalie with snow or jamming your stick into the goalie wherever you think the puck is before the whistle blows. No, there is no rule against this, but you can be sure that the goalie's teammates won't like it and will mug the guy trying to this.

[Carman 387]

Starting a fight after a clean, legal hit is the right thing? I think not.

Show me the rule where it says you cannot legally check star players? Doesn't exist.

It's hockey, you are going to get checked. Get up, skate and line up for a clean hit later. Respond with a clean hit, not a fight.

On the second and third and fourth looks, yes it was a clean hit. But in the heat of the game it could of definitely have been called a penalty. I don't see how people can blame Crosby for going after Ballard. Even Ballard himself said after the game he was expecting someone to come after him. That's hockey.

[Mike 0]

Of course there is no rule like this. There is also no rule against accidentally bumping the goalie or spraying the goalie with snow or jamming your stick into the goalie wherever you think the puck is before the whistle blows. No, there is no rule against this, but you can be sure that the goalie's teammates won't like it and will mug the guy trying to this.

Uh, yeah there is. It is called goaltender interference. Wings fans should be familiar with that call.

[Carman 387]

Uh, yeah there is. It is called goaltender interference. Wings fans should be familiar with that call.

He is probably refering to outside the crease.

[Mike 0]

He is probably refering to outside the crease.

Still. They call goaltender interference when the goalie is outside of the crease.

[Hockeytown_Ryan 122]

Of course there is no rule like this. There is also no rule against accidentally bumping the goalie or spraying the goalie with snow or jamming your stick into the goalie wherever you think the puck is before the whistle blows. No, there is no rule against this, but you can be sure that the goalie's teammates won't like it and will mug the guy trying to this.

What does a Goalie have to do with getting hit clean? then starting a fight? You cant touch a goalie or you get a penalty!

Oh oh I got it ..... Protect Malkin and Crosby like goaltenders? I still dont see why you cant check a goaltender if he sees you comin, Hes got the most padding out there for crying out loud, Like wearing a giant sumo suit.

The things that goaltenders go though on a nightly basis...are expected... they are goaltenders. That doesnt mean that Avery should skate

up and "accidentally" hit one with his stick....

Malkin got hit clean.......Crosby tried to break bad..... But he sucks at that because he has already spent too much time crying about

the other team "needing to take more penalties"

My Point.....you cant compare what a forward goes through and what a goalie goes through..2 different things

[Carman 387]

Still. They call goaltender interference when the goalie is outside of the crease.

Not all the time, sure you can't be like keith tkachuk and lay the goalie out, but they are getting a little more lenient on contact with the goalie.

[Hockeytown_Ryan 122]

Not all the time, sure you can't be like keith tkachuk and lay the goalie out, but they are getting a little more lenient on contact with the goalie.

Only if your Jersey # is NOT 96

[Carman 387]

Only if your Jersey # is NOT 96

I'm referring to goalies outside the crease. Almost all of the atrocious calls on Holmstorm have to do with him apparently having an invisible foot in the crease.

Anyways enough about that. Really my take on the whole play was a great hit by Ballard, and a good showing by Crosby. Ballard said after the game he was expecting someone to come after him, and I know if I was on Malkin's team I would definitely go after Ballard. I'm sure Crosby wanted to help his team, and I'm sure Ballard loved the opportunity to take Crosby out for 5 minutes it was a win-win situation that made for good hockey. It doesn't have much to do with it being a dirty hit, and more to do with it being a big hit that could of changed the momentum of the game. Sure, Crosby could of kept his hands to himself, but I guarantee Guerin would of dropped his gloves. I just don't see why people have to blast Crosby for trying to spark his team. I'm pretty confident to say if roles were reversed and that wasn't Crosby it wouldn't have been a big deal. But no, since it's Crosby he must have done something cheap. Anyways just my opinion.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

The hit was clean.

Malkin shouldn't try to jump over hits because of this very reason.

Crysby is a ***** and is lucky he was able to wrestle Ballard to the ground before Ballard really lit him up.

Put just about any Red Wings player in the postion that Crosby was after the Malkin hit, you and plenty of other people in here would probably be doing cart wheels for a Red Wing player standing up for a teammate that got hit hard. Yes, I realize the hit was clean.

Another instance of Crosby disliking not being logical and teetering on going overboard.

Edited April 8, 2009 by SouthernWingsFan

[kylee 727]

as much as i dont like crosby, nothing wrong with him sticking up for malkin after getting wrecked like that.

good hit.

[toby91_ca 620]

My gut instinct at the Crosby bashing over this "from some" here was surprise, but then after about 1/10th of a second I realized my error, a lot of people around here are simply irrational and blatantly bashing the guy for no reason. Someone mentioned earlier that if it had have been Datsyuk or Zetterberg, you'd love it. You might say I don't want the guy doing that because he's more important to be out on the ice, but you'd love the fact that they'd stick up for one another.

I know the NHL has changed, but back in the day, dirty hit, clean hit, didn't matter, if you hit a star player like that, you were likely going to have to drop the gloves with somone. That said, in the heat of the game, Crosby thought the hit was low and even looking at the replays, one could argue it was low, it was dangerous. It was a clean hit, but the results could have been bad.

Lastly, did anyone even listen to Ballard??? The guy who through the hit??? He expected to have to fight after that and he suggested it was the right thing for Crosby to do at that point in the game.