Richards annihilates Booth

[zettie85 106]

In my opinion it's a lot easier to control your follow through with your leg then it is to avoid the head of another player. In a perfect world we would like to see no headshots, but when you are lining someone up it's nearly impossible to make direct contact to the body with your shoulder, you just do your best to have your body hit the other guy. It's a fast game people, the players aren't perfect and can't control the actions on the ice like a video game, if you are going to start giving suspensions on clean hits like this that are not late, and not with the elbow then you will affect the quality of hits for the future. It's an unfortunate incident, but I really doubt the ability to stop hits like this in the future without severely sacrificing a integrally important and fun part of the game.

:clap: :clap:

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

You can blatantly tell an intentional knee on knee from an unintentional (e.i. Ulf Samuelson, Brian Marchment). Ovechkin on Gonchar last year unintentional and no call made.

Obviously sarcasm flys right over your head. What is the point in making an example of Richards. We get to see the hit from one angle. His intent was a clean hit. Shoulder tucked in. His intent was good his form was good. There is no reason for suspension and reason for argument. It's unfortunate for Booth but a clean hit is a clean hit.

I got the sarcasm. It's there because you couldn't or didn't feel like making an actual point.

The youtube clip in the original post has two angles. Booth's head snaps back. There's almost no contact with his body.

As I've said, I don't think Richards was trying to brain him, but he lined him up and missed everything but his head. intentional or not, it's a dangerous play and one the league should work to eliminate. And I think they can work on eliminating headshots without taking out the hitting that is such a great part of hockey. That's all I'm saying.

[zettie85 106]

I got the sarcasm. It's there because you couldn't or didn't feel like making an actual point.

The youtube clip in the original post has two angles. Booth's head snaps back. There's almost no contact with his body.

As I've said, I don't think Richards was trying to brain him, but he lined him up and missed everything but his head. intentional or not, it's a dangerous play and one the league should work to eliminate. And I think they can work on eliminating headshots without taking out the hitting that is such a great part of hockey. That's all I'm saying.

NHL Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell cited two examples of supplementary discipline for hits to the head:

* Jarkko Ruutu was issued a two-game suspension for elbowing Maxim Lapierre in the face, even though it did not cause a serious injury.

* Brendan Witt was issued a five-game suspension for elbowing Niklas Hagman in the head.

Doug Weight's shoulder-to-head hit on Carolina rookie Brandon Sutter was not punished because the League deemed it to be legal and clean. Sutter had his head down and was searching for the puck.

I see where you are coming from for protecting the players but it would take away from the grit if players were worried about it. They are also grown men and know the risks.

Edited October 25, 2009 by zettie85

[Carman 387]

I got the sarcasm. It's there because you couldn't or didn't feel like making an actual point.

The youtube clip in the original post has two angles. Booth's head snaps back. There's almost no contact with his body.

As I've said, I don't think Richards was trying to brain him, but he lined him up and missed everything but his head. intentional or not, it's a dangerous play and one the league should work to eliminate. And I think they can work on eliminating headshots without taking out the hitting that is such a great part of hockey. That's all I'm saying.

If you give out a suspension on this hit that if his shoulder was just an inch lower would of been a textbook and nearly perfect hockey check, I believe it will hurt the confidence and tenacity of players like Richards. They will second guess themselves, and not take chances. To me I'd rather see an odd incident like this, then hurt the physicality of an already suffering NHL. It is just so hard to avoid making contact with someones head, the NFL has been trying to fix it for years and it's not getting any better. Just leave shoulder checks alone, and enforce the hell out of checks from behind, slew foots, elbows, jumping into hits. There are many more issues around hockey checks that could help safety then a 1/1000 shoulder check that was just a little bit high.

[Doc Holiday 0]

To me the hit on Hudler was different. It was a full body hit, it's just that Hudler is a little guy. And real time, the puck was off his stick for less than a couple seconds.

Richards missed Booth's body and smoked him in the head. And Booth didn't really have his head down. He was looking at his pass but his head was looking forward again when he got smoked.

Technically there is no rule against headshots right now, but there needs to be, for the same reason knee on knee hits are illegal. They often happen when a player tries to line a guy up but doesn't do it successfully. they end up hitting knee on knee, and could cause a serious injury and even end a guys career. I don't see how a blow to the head is any different. A player's knee is more valuable than his brain?

First, not all head shots are because of a dirty play (like this one). Just because a player is taller than the other doesn't mean that he should be unable to deliver a shoulder body check to another player.

Second, none of the GMs in the NHL want a headshot rule.

PITTSBURGH -- It doesn't appear that a headshot penalty has much chance of getting into the NHL rule book.

For the second time in four months, the league's 30 general managers have discussed the merits of a rule proposed by the NHL Players' Association and shot it down. League disciplinarian Colin Campbell showed the managers a video montage of hits as part of the presentation.

The GMs just have no desire to adopt a rule similar to what the Ontario Hockey League instituted this season.

"There's no appetite for a rule change on that," Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke said after Tuesday's meeting. "We all think the existing penalties make sense and then, when a guy crosses the line, Colie bangs him (with a suspension).

"In the leagues where they've put in an automatic penalty, I think it's drastically reduced hitting, and we have no desire to see a reduction in the amount of contact that takes place on our ice surface.

"I know players seem to think it's important, and you hear (NHLPA executive director) Paul Kelly talk about it, but in our room? No appetite."

Knee on knee contact is much more black and white than head contact. Size and types of contact rarely vary with the former, which is why it is very easy to make a ruling on it. The latter has too much gray to make a "one size fits all" type of penalty on the issue.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

If you give out a suspension on this hit that if his shoulder was just an inch lower would of been a textbook and nearly perfect hockey check, I believe it will hurt the confidence and tenacity of players like Richards. They will second guess themselves, and not take chances. To me I'd rather see an odd incident like this, then hurt the physicality of an already suffering NHL. It is just so hard to avoid making contact with someones head, the NFL has been trying to fix it for years and it's not getting any better. Just leave shoulder checks alone, and enforce the hell out of checks from behind, slew foots, elbows, jumping into hits. There are many more issues around hockey checks that could help safety then a 1/1000 shoulder check that was just a little bit high.

Honestly I think it was more than a matter of inches. He didn't get his body at all. I just think players would have to pull up in certain situations if they don't have a guy lined up right, much like if he's turned his back to you. It'd be different if Booth had tried to avoid the hit and moved, but he was a relatively consistent target.

Open ice hits are hard to pull off well. You better be sure you've got him before you put the shoulder in. But I agree there a lot of other issues that could help player safety, like getting rid of the football size, hard shell shoulder and elbow pads.

[Zetts 236]

When you're coming in to hit a player from the side you have to go shoulder to shoulder, you don't try to hit the guy in the chest. If you do that, you'll never be able to turn into his body enough and you end up with head shots if the other guy's head is the slightest bit forward.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

First, not all head shots are because of a dirty play (like this one). Just because a player is taller than the other doesn't mean that he should be unable to deliver a shoulder body check to another player.

This had nothing to do with height. I don't think it was meant to be dirty, but he got nothing but Booth's head. It resulted in a dangerous play.

Second, none of the GMs in the NHL want a headshot rule.

They might when clips like Booth getting knocked out suddenly makes the news highlights.

The GM's may not want it (though the main guy quoted is Burke, and it sounds like he's talking about an automatic penalty rule), but it sure sounds like the players do. And their the ones whose brains are on the line.

Although this group has a strong voice, over 70% of NHL players surveyed disagree and will argue the need for a penalty for head checking at a competition committee meeting this summer.

http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/darren_dreger/?id=280669

NHLPA executive director Paul Kelly said existing NHL rules to prevent head hunting aren't working.

"The system we have been using simply hasn't been sufficient to deter these type of potentially career-ending injuries," Kelly said in an interview Tuesday night. "I would think, frankly, that many of these GMs would feel some obligation to protect their star players.

"Look, I know that not all the GMs share the view of people like Brian Burke and I know that there are a number who think the view of the players and the rule we proposed is a reasonable approach and a sound approach for the future of this game.

"So I think that there will be further discussion. Our veteran players have strong views about the matter."

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=280695

Knee on knee contact is much more black and white than head contact. Size and types of contact rarely vary with the former, which is why it is very easy to make a ruling on it. The latter has too much gray to make a "one size fits all" type of penalty on the issue.

I don't think so at all. Often knee on knee results in a guy trying to avoid the hit more than it's a clear case of a player flaring his knee out.

[rick zombo 3,739]

That was a really ******* late hit.

[Carman 387]

That was a really ******* late hit.

I can see not liking the hit because of the head contact. But I do not see how this is a late hit...

[jollymania 162]

That was a really ******* late hit.

no it wasn't infact it might have been quicker than the hudler hit

[Buppy 1,720]

It definitely should be a penalty, but only a suspension if you had a good reason to believe it was intentional.

I liken it to boarding or high-sticking. Many of those are unintentional, but a player needs to be responsible. If you're going to blindside someone, avoid the head. Or at least hit the body first.

And Booth wasn't admiring his pass. He was looking at the defender in front of him, then glanced in the direction he was passing for a fraction of a second. Richards came out of his periphery. If Booth had been looking in Richards direction, you'd all be saying he deserved the blindside hit he would've taken from the other defender.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Definately deserved a penalty, however I'd have a hard time believing that there was intent to injure. After all, (correct me if I'm wrong) doesn't Richards have a history of being a relatively non-dirty player despite playing for the Broad Street Bullies?

[OsGOD 3]

people are up on Richards and down on Ruutuu in another thread... odd they were both dirty hits. One hitting the head from behind and one hitting the head from in front... both hitting the head.

Edited October 26, 2009 by OsGOD

[Donaldjr2448 43]

For the ppl criticizing this hit, you should take a look at yourself in a mirror every time Kronwall lays someone out. He caught him admiring his pass and he deserved to get clocked. There was zero elbow and from that video there is no evidence of it being interference. Richards is a classy player he didn't mean to knock the kid out as he did I'm sure, but hockey is hockey. There are 2 rules pounded into you as a child. Keep your stick on the ice and KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!!!

I have to agree!! Hit was legal and nothing should be done to Richards! Its too bad Booth sustained an injury! Guys have got to quit looking down and away from the play while in the middle of the ice. I said the same thing in the Towes hit!!

Is the hit respectful? maybe not, but if guys stop hitting when they have the chance, chances are they will never get the chance again! Everyone can be replaced!

This will be a boring league if this type of hitting is taken out!

[zettie85 106]

That was a really ******* late hit.

It was like half a second. Are you nuts?

[Hack & Whack Rule! 160]

It was like half a second. Are you nuts?

Yes...yes, he is.

[zettie85 106]

It definitely should be a penalty, but only a suspension if you had a good reason to believe it was intentional.

I liken it to boarding or high-sticking. Many of those are unintentional, but a player needs to be responsible. If you're going to blindside someone, avoid the head. Or at least hit the body first.

And Booth wasn't admiring his pass. He was looking at the defender in front of him, then glanced in the direction he was passing for a fraction of a second. Richards came out of his periphery. If Booth had been looking in Richards direction, you'd all be saying he deserved the blindside hit he would've taken from the other defender.

If he was looking in Richards direction where he should have been this may not have been as bad as it was. You say he was glancing at the other defender not the pass? Pronger was in no position at all to hit Booth. He should have been paying attention to where he was going. Especially cutting across the blue line. You can feel sorry for Booth and Crucify Richards all you want but it was unfortunate situation for both. Booth should be considered more at fault for not paying attention then Richards for using textbook body checking form.

[Doc Holiday 0]

If he was looking in Richards direction where he should have been this may not have been as bad as it was. You say he was glancing at the other defender not the pass? Pronger was in no position at all to hit Booth. He should have been paying attention to where he was going. Especially cutting across the blue line. You can feel sorry for Booth and Crucify Richards all you want but it was unfortunate situation for both. Booth should be considered more at fault for not paying attention then Richards for using textbook body checking form.

Normally when you make a pass you are looking in that direction. Unless you think he should have made a no look pass and made sure he knew where Richards was at all times.

Some hits happen because players can't look everywhere at once. Great hits happen when the hitter is able to take full advantage of those opportunities.

Edited October 26, 2009 by Doc Holiday

[eva unit zero 271]

Shoulder to head = headshot. Is it illegal? No. Is it a dick move, and SHOULD it be illegal? Yes.

Richards went in late, and put his shoulder to his head, full out. It was a dumbass hit by Richards. Had it been shoulder on shoulder it would be a different story, but this just turned out ugly. I am surprised there was no suspension - in my opinion, it was worse then the Brown on Hudler hit from last years playoffs. Not to mention it was a late hit.

To all those saying it was a good hockey hit? You outta be on the receiving end of one of those.

And you have been reading too much "Richards hit is dirty" stuff. Richards would have crushed Booth shoulder-to-shoulder had Booth not tried to stop. Take another look at the video, genius. Booth passes the puck and then tries to stop. Richards is lined up to annihilate him and hits him within a fraction of a second after he gives up the puck. He couldn't have just not hit him; he was already throwing the hit. Booth passed the puck and then tried to stop because he SAW Richards and was trying to avoid him. Unfortunately, Booth wasn't able to. That's why Richards just barely catches Booth's head and grazes across the front of his body rather than hitting him full on and leading with a shoulder to the head.

Am I really the only person who is this observant?

[RedArmy 4]

this seemed more like unfortunate timing, but not a bad hit at all. I highly doubt that Richards was going for his head... now the hit on tucker that was dirty for sure

[Hack & Whack Rule! 160]

Am I really the only person who is this observant?

No, but you are the only one to ask a dips*** question like that. Many here in this topic have said it was a good hit, but with unfortunate results. Go back to page one and read.

[zettie85 106]

Normally when you make a pass you are looking in that direction. Unless you think he should have made a no look pass and made sure he knew where Richards was at all times.

Some hits happen because players can't look everywhere at once. Great hits happen when the hitter is able to take full advantage of those opportunities.

It was his decision to make a drop pass while cutting across the blueline. Why you would even think cutting acoss the blueline on a team that has Pronger on it is a good idea is beyond me. A team known to play rough. I agree that yes opportunities like that make for great hits and Booth gave Richards the opportunity and he took it. Now he's been lambasted for it. It doesn't seem fair.

[kook_10 1,705]

It was his decision to make a drop pass while cutting across the blueline. Why you would even think cutting acoss the blueline on a team that has Pronger on it is a good idea is beyond me. A team known to play rough.

Regardless of what team he was playing, he took the puck to a spot on the ice where he was in between all five of the opposition skaters. No matter which way you slice it, he knew where he was in relation to the other team and he didn't protect himself adequately.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

And you have been reading too much "Richards hit is dirty" stuff. Richards would have crushed Booth shoulder-to-shoulder had Booth not tried to stop. Take another look at the video, genius. Booth passes the puck and then tries to stop. Richards is lined up to annihilate him and hits him within a fraction of a second after he gives up the puck. He couldn't have just not hit him; he was already throwing the hit. Booth passed the puck and then tried to stop because he SAW Richards and was trying to avoid him. Unfortunately, Booth wasn't able to. That's why Richards just barely catches Booth's head and grazes across the front of his body rather than hitting him full on and leading with a shoulder to the head.

Am I really the only person who is this observant?

I don't know what you're seeing, but Booth isn't trying to stop. A slight turn of the skates is just skating, not stopping. It wouldn't have thrown off the timing that much. Watch it real speed.