We’ve all seen the signs, the disturbing hits and cheap shots that have seemed to ramp up lately in the NHL. Things that cross the line of competitive fire and balance, into an ugly gray area of dirty play, cheap shots and intent to injure.
It’s been a disturbing trend of declining respect among their peers for NHL skaters, but last night’s hit on Marian Hossa is one of the more disgusting plays I have ever witnessed on NHL ice, even for a dirtbag like Raffi Torres.
I hate Raffi Torres, with every fiber of my being despite the fact he no longer pulls the Canucks sweater over his head before games.
Early in Game 3 of the Blackhawk-Coyotes series, Raffi “Soul Patch” Torres left his feet, delivering his shoulder squarely into the face of Blackhawk forward Marian Hossa. Hossa was immobilized and taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Hossa was nowhere near the puck when the hit occurred.
With the cheapshot hit, Torres makes himself the next contestant to spin the NHL’s Wheel of Morality.
Problem is, the changes we were all promised last year with Colin Campbell’s resignation haven’t seemed to materialize.
Shana-ban has looked inconsistent with the surprisingly rough and tumble first round of the NHL playoffs.
In the first 22 playoff games, teams have racked up 804 penalty minutes, with the Flyers-Penguins series topping the charts in Game 3 with 158.
Shanahan has clearly missed on several opportunities so far, but this is the one clear chance for him to make Raffi Torres a shining example.
Make any excuse you wish for this hit, because it has no place in hockey. period.
Banning him for the rest of the postseason would be reasonable, the Hockey Files believes Torres should be gone for 10 days, but sadly I think that a repeat offender like Torres gets nothing but a slap on the wrist.
Here’s to hoping I’m wrong.
UPDATE : It looks as though Shanahan is serious about Torres, as the NHL just announced he’s been suspended indefinitely pending a hearing. As I’ve said before, this guy needs to be suspended for the duration of the playoffs as an example of his stupidity.
The hearing is set for Friday, April 20th.
I should have said 10 games or more. I dont agree he gets a slap on the wrist though. Shana-ban will have to drop some sort of hammer here. It is just the size of hammer that will be in question.
I really do hope he gets it right, because all soul patch jokes aside, this play is just not right on any level.