27 replies to this topic

[GMRwings1983]

Anyone see highlights from the Florida/New York game? I'll try to post a link to the video.

Basically, Kopecky suckerpunched Del Zotto, and then he had to deal with an angry Mike Rupp. You can guess what happened next.

Now I'm wondering if Kopecky will be suspended for that punch. Apparently Rupp didn't get the instigator. That would have resulted in a suspension from the Winter Classic if I'm not mistaken.

Edited by GMRwings1983, 31 December 2011 - 02:09 AM.

[MabusIncarnate]

I was wondering the same thing, and I think I would be surprised if he wasn't suspended. I understand frustration but that was a classless move, and i'm glad Del Zotto wasn't injured from it.

[CopenhagenWing]

Rupp just pulls Kopecky away as if the ref wasn't even there.

[Doc Holliday]

Should a suspension even apply in this case? Kopecky's punches are so weak I doubt they can injure anyone in the league.

[Nev]

I'm not sure on the rules on this, but surely you can't just pull a guy out of the refs hands and start pummelling him? If Kopecky gets a suspension for the sucker punch, surely Rupp has to get one as well for jumping Kopecky like that?

[Reds4Life]

Kopecky sucks.

[F.Michael]

Def a sucker punch by Kopay - however I can understand why he did it; Del Zotto was asking for it with the handful of cross-checks that he delivered.

EDIT - can't wait to see what 24/7 has to show on this

Edited by F.Michael, 31 December 2011 - 06:13 AM.

[BigWillieStyle]

If you're going to cross-check a guy in the head, you'd better damn well expect the guy to be a little angry about it and not be surprised when he punches you in the face. Bad on Kopy for punching a guy with his gloves on. Bad on Del Zotto for not expecting one in the face. And I wouldn't be surprised if Rupp got a game or two for his actions, however admirable they may be. You can't grab a guy that the linesman is holding onto a start beating him senseless. Not even if it's Kopecky.

[55fan]

Oh, Kokopuffs.

Don't suckerpunch, and if you end up in a fight, don't cower.

You were once our pugilistic stallion here. Don't embarrass us, please.

[sputman]

[Hockeytown0001]

Both were at fault. Although Del Zotto seemed to go down pretty easily.

[uk_redwing]

If you're going to battle right in front of the net, you're gonna get cross checked. That's hockey. It may not be Red Wings hockey which obviously shocks a few people here, but it's the standard way of clearing the crease.

Suckerpunching a guy is classless. If you're mad, drop the gloves and fight, don't blindside a guy.

Good on Rupp for making Kopecky cower in an actual fight.

[VM1138]

Has anyone figured out how to pronounce his name yet? I guess since all the announcers call him "Kopetsky" that must be it, but then I wonder...why not just spell it that way? Haha.

Both were at fault. Although Del Zotto seemed to go down pretty easily.

I don't know...getting sucker punched can do that to a guy on skates.

[Detroit # 1 Fan]

He's still as stupid as ever.

[WorkingOvertime]

Great enforcing by Rupp. Del Zotto wasn't innocent, but IMO a suckerpunch is rarely (if ever) warranted. If Kopecky was that upset, he should have dropped his gloves and fought. To me, these incidents are evidence of when fighting can be the safer alternative.

Rupp was smart not to throw a punch until the ref had released Kopecky. IMO that detail should be enough for Rupp to not be suspended.

[syntax]

If you're going to battle right in front of the net, you're gonna get cross checked. That's hockey. It may not be Red Wings hockey which obviously shocks a few people here, but it's the standard way of clearing the crease.

Suckerpunching a guy is classless. If you're mad, drop the gloves and fight, don't blindside a guy.

Agreed, you should get crosschecked if your in front of the oppositions net...in your center of mass. It looks to me like Del Zotto's right hand/butt end caught Kopecky in the neck/face, causing his helmet to come off. I would've suckerpunched him at that point to.

Take one in the face, give one in the face.

Rupp did his job though, so good enough IMO.

[esteef]

That's what Zetts should've done to Crosby.

esteef

[GMRwings1983]

He's still as stupid as ever.

He did bust up Patrick Sharp.

[dobbles]

I think everyone acted as they should. del zotto got way up high on kopecky with that cross check that knocked off his helmet. so i think the punch was warranted. in that same vein, thats why he got tackled and then pummeled. though i am with you guys in wondering if rupp will get disciplined for going after a guy that was already being restrained by an official.

[under_par_00]

Has anyone figured out how to pronounce his name yet? I guess since all the announcers call him "Kopetsky" that must be it, but then I wonder...why not just spell it that way? Haha.

"Kopetsky" would be correct. In many Slavic languages, the letter 'c' without an accent makes a 'ts' sound. So Kopecky would sound like "Kopetsky"