zata20 4 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 It is absolutely ridiculous that Walker didn't get suspended for the sucker punch he gave Ward. Not only did Ward have his gloves on the whole time, but Walker was also the third man in on the scrum. I agree with Barry Melrose in the fact that this was worse than what Brashear did and he got 5 games. It is also a disgrace that Kunitz didnt get suspended for his cross check on Varlamov a few games a go. Sean Avery gets suspended just for saying sloppy seconds but according to the NHL it is ok to goon it up on the ice. The argument that if the player doesn't get hurt there is no need for a suspension is the dumbest thing ever. In this case Ward could be out a while with a fractured orbital bone anyway. Colin Cambell and Gary Bettman are possibly the worst two men for their respective jobs. They aren't consistent on anything. Is the NHL ever going to get it right with these kinds of incidents? http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/2009/news?id=4158572 BTW, i dont condone what Avery did just saying that these incidents are worse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casey 145 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 Nothing? NOTHING? Seriously? The hit was dirty, plain and simple. Ten games. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlueMonk 102 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 I love the rough side of hockey, and I enjoy seeing physicality and intimidation play a role in the game. But the NHL completely sh** the bed on this. http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/2009/news?id=4158572 I've been a defender of the league's supplemental discipline more often than not, but I agree with The Mullet on this one; the league dropped the ball big time here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmubronco420 25 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 (edited) ten games??? come on id say 2 games tops... obviously walker thought ward was gonna drop the gloves, he looked like he trying to make sure he was ok right after he did it. Edited May 11, 2009 by wmubronco420 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
esteef 2,679 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 ten games??? come on id say 2 games tops... obviously walker thought ward was gonna drop the gloves, he looked like he trying to make sure he was ok right after he did it. Agree. I'm no Scott Walker fan by any means, but it looked like Aaron was manning up and then just stopped. Tough call though either way. esteef Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doggy 130 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 Oh my God seriously? How is this possible? I remember thinking it was a given he'd be suspended. Like, I didn't even consider the possibility he wouldn't. 1. Blatant sucker punch. 2. Third man in. 3. Final moments of a game beyond doubt. Didn't the league just weeks ago state they wanted to stamp this kind of "message sending" out? They making a mockery of themselves. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zata20 4 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 ten games??? come on id say 2 games tops... obviously walker thought ward was gonna drop the gloves, he looked like he trying to make sure he was ok right after he did it. Ten games might be too much, but generally when two guys fight they give each other a chance to get ready. Only dirty pieces of crap like Scott Walker would hit someone before their ready. That is part of the code of fighting in the NHL. Its just like when Crosby suckered Mclean off the face off in a game against Florida. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 I'm glad he didn't get suspended. It'll make the next game more interesting to watch with Walker in the lineup. One of our guys (Ericsson) should do this to Pronger in game 6. Since there will be no suspension, we have nothing to worry about. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doggy 130 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 I'm glad he didn't get suspended. It'll make the next game more interesting to watch with Walker in the lineup. One of our guys (Ericsson) should do this to Pronger in game 6. Since there will be no suspension, we have nothing to worry about. That's the thing. Who the f*** knows? The NHL is about as consistent as quantum mechanics. **Nerd joke, I know. Sorry.** Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingslogo19 281 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 That was total BS.. I can't wait for Lucic to get ahold of Walker Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingsdiehard13 33 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 That's the thing. Who the f*** knows? The NHL is about as consistent as quantum mechanics. **Nerd joke, I know. Sorry.** QFT Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
12Newf 0 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 wow, i have to stop trying to understand this nonsense. way to go colon campbell (ya i know what i did there). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjlegend 155 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 I'm glad he didn't get suspended. It'll make the next game more interesting to watch with Walker in the lineup. One of our guys (Ericsson) Cleary should do this to Pronger in game 6. Since there will be no suspension, we have nothing to worry about. Fixed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jake Ryan 1 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 Can you guys imagine if this happend to Nick Kronwall by Steve Parros at the end of game 5? Boston fans have a right to be furious. I hope that every team gets at least ONE screwing by the NHL front office so that pretty soon, these guys won't be welcome anywhere and will be forced to resign. They suck at their jobs. It's absurd that they slap a 2500 fine on a guy for sucker punching someone and breaking his face. How does 2500 hurt a guy making 500,000? That's like a parking ticket to these guys. It's sad. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jake Ryan 1 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 Fixed. Ericsson Cleary Sobotka should sucker punch Pronger. Now Really Fixed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 absolute disgrace and a joke by the league... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 Ericsson Cleary Sobotka should sucker punch Pronger. Now Really Fixed. come on, don't be ridiculous... it's funny and all, but I don't think anyone wants Al in jail for an off-ice assault, because yes, that's what it would be if it did not occur on the ice... Ericsson Cleary Sobotka Samuelsson should sucker punch Pronger. Now it's REALLY fixed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RusDRW 155 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 as time goes on those decisions become more and more questionable. i clearly see 5 games suspension here. After all he punched a guy who did not even want to drop the gloves and did practically nothing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 Scott Walker is being groomed as another "New Face of the NHL". However, by defintion (in the free world and not in the NHL's world) a "sucker punch", according to wordnet dot princeton dot edu is: "an unexpected punch". As brave as it was for Ward to take "one for the team", he did have a clear view of the punch coming. And, according to the rules (?) of the League, only a "sucker punch" is mentioned as being subject for suspension. Just add this to that always growing "laundry list" for the League's next Board of Governors / Rules Committee meeting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jake Ryan 1 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 come on, don't be ridiculous... it's funny and all, but I don't think anyone wants Al in jail for an off-ice assault, because yes, that's what it would be if it did not occur on the ice... Ericsson Cleary Sobotka Samuelsson Maltby should sucker punch Pronger. Now it's REALLY fixed I've seen Samuelsson take enough shots he shouldn't take already. There are a few certainties in a Wings game: 1) Samuelsson is going to shoot if he has the puck past the red line. 2) Lost-bda is going to slap shoot the puck into the defenseman's skates right in front of him 3) Cleary is going to fall down all over the place while hustling 4) Helm is goiing to hit the sh!t out of anything without a Winged Wheel on it and 5) Chelios is NOT retiring Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dabura 12,232 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 Welcome to the NBL (National Bush League). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 (edited) I'm not sure if the punch itself warranted a suspension, as Ward just stood there like a dummy waiting to be clobbered. Did he have his gloves off? No. But Jordin Tootoo fights guys all the time without waiting for them to drop the gloves, and the leave never discplines him for it. Also, usually when guys see that a guy wants to go, they get ready in some way, by either grabbing the guy, skating away, or dropping the gloves. Like someone else said, Walker immediately went to check if Ward was okay. I honestly think - as someone who cares about neither team nor their players - that Walker thought the fight was just going to erupt, like many fights do, where all of a sudden the gloves fly off. I think if Ward does something to show that hes not interested in the fight, then this is an easy suspension. But he seriously just looks like a brainless fool standing there waiting to get hit - not skating away, yet not fighting either. However, I do think this should be a suspension. The league established at the beginning of the season that players "sending messages" late in the game would automatically be suspended. Thats exactly what Walker was doing, and should be suspended because of it. Take a look at the guys who have done things in the playoffs so far that warranted suspensions or did something that was nearly identical as a guy who got a suspension, yet got off scott free. Mike Cammalleri Chris Kunitz Scott Walker Now the guys that have gotten suspended: Colton Orr Donald Brashear Dan Carcillo Notice something about those lists? Top 6 forwards versus bottom six tough guys. The way the NHL doles out suspensions essentially proves that they only have the balls to hand out suspensions when the player in question ISN'T an impact player. Edited May 11, 2009 by YoungGuns1340 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
esteef 2,679 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 Take a look at the guys who have done things in the playoffs so far that warranted suspensions or did something that was nearly identical as a guy who got a suspension, yet got off scott free. Mike Cammalleri Chris Kunitz Scott Walker Now the guys that have gotten suspended: Colton Orr Donald Brashear Dan Carcillo Notice something about those lists? Top 6 forwards versus bottom six tough guys. The way the NHL doles out suspensions essentially proves that they only have the balls to hand out suspensions when the player in question ISN'T an impact player. Discrimination!! esteef Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Electrophile 3,554 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 The league is quite clearly having a hard time reconciling the desire to move away from the "goonery" that can make the game dangerous and the knowledge that said goonery is what draws in casual watchers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingsdiehard13 33 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 Take a look at the guys who have done things in the playoffs so far that warranted suspensions or did something that was nearly identical as a guy who got a suspension, yet got off scott free. Mike Cammalleri Chris Kunitz Scott Walker Now the guys that have gotten suspended: Colton Orr Donald Brashear Dan Carcillo Notice something about those lists? Top 6 forwards versus bottom six tough guys. The way the NHL doles out suspensions essentially proves that they only have the balls to hand out suspensions when the player in question ISN'T an impact player. Some would argue that Ovechkin should have gotten suspended as well. However, I am not one of them. But it proves your point further. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
