NHL suspends Alex Ovechkin three games for Zbynek Michalek hit

Comments

3 games

Seems surprising. He left his feet, but targeted the upper body but got head. I don’t think he was in with flying elbows directed at the head though.

However, I am tired of seeing him take these charges at players. If Cookie can tone down his borderline play, then Ovechkin should be able to learn if he wants to. Maybe it’ll be a wake up call for him.

by biedergb on Jan 23, 2012 6:43 PM EST reply actions

He wasn’t “in with flying elbows directed at the head” but his hit wasn’t any cleaner than Engelland’s against Chicago.

by j1066 on Jan 23, 2012 7:03 PM EST up reply actions

3 games?

I can see the 3 games. I am not surprised. He IS a repeat offender and should be treated as such. The time of suspension should go up with each infraction.

As to the hit, no elbows, but….
The video review(I love when they do these) did show that he launched himself from the ice and I mean launched. There should be no doubt that his feet coming off the ice was the result of the collision.
With the launch he brought himself up through the shoulder and into Z’s head. Of course the head strike then mashes Z’s head off the glass. He has just come back from a head injury.
Illegal and suspension warranted.

I just hope that in a few days symptoms do not occur for Z and he has to sit out some more games because Jackbutt can’t keep his feet on the ice while making a charging check.
If he kept his feet on the ice, it would have been a great check. He didn’t need to do it.

by Burgh13 on Jan 23, 2012 8:34 PM EST reply actions

Apparently Ovi does not count as a repeat offender for disciplinary purposes since he’s been “clean” for 18 months.

Or at least that’s word on the street. I think it’s correct, but I haven’t bothered to verify its accuracy.

Jagr? I don't even know 'er.

by PopRocks on Jan 24, 2012 3:57 AM EST up reply actions

Apparently the “repeat offender” status that resets after 18 months is only relevant to the fine that goes a long with the suspension.

Repeat offender fine=number of games/82 (the number of games in a season)
First timer fine=number of games/183 (the number of days in a season I think this is how many there are)

by quo360 on Jan 24, 2012 1:01 PM EST up reply actions

Good to know. Thanks for clearing that up. :)

Jagr? I don't even know 'er.

by PopRocks on Jan 24, 2012 1:11 PM EST up reply actions

his boarding penalty against campbell was more than 18 months ago?

by NoVAPensFan on Jan 24, 2012 4:53 PM EST up reply actions

March 2010.

Red Line Station and @RedArmyLine, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
I believe in next year.

by red army line on Jan 24, 2012 6:32 PM EST up reply actions

Sheesh!

Was ‘Not’ the result of the collision.

by Burgh13 on Jan 23, 2012 8:35 PM EST reply actions

seems about right

Though for a lesser player, there would probably be a longer suspension. The key to the play, for me, is that this didn’t need to happen: if he just stays on his feet, he still finishes his check and knocks Michalek down.

And the fact of the matter is that Ovechkin has a lengthy history of reckless, unnecessarily dangerous play. It’s his third suspension, and frankly a less-famous player would’ve gotten more games than OV did for that 2010 hit on Brian Campbell (a much more dangerous play, and Campbell missed a lot of time because of it). And don’t get me started on other plays that didn’t earn any suspension; his knee-on-knee with Gonchar in the 2009 playoffs and his slewfoot of Rich Peverley come to mind. As someone said above, if Matt Cooke can grow a brain and take the recklessness out of his game, it shouldn’t be too much to expect it from Ovechkin.

P is for Latrobe.

by holiday park on Jan 24, 2012 10:51 AM EST reply actions

I'm good with that...

Glad to see Michalek didn’t do what a lot of other players do and just turn their back to him.

There's an 87% chance this post is sarcasm...

by Stros Bro on Jan 24, 2012 11:20 AM EST reply actions

Ovechkin just told the NHL to F off

by skipping the All Star game.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/story/2012-01-24/ovechkin-skips-all-star-game/52768962/1

There's an 87% chance this post is sarcasm...

by Stros Bro on Jan 24, 2012 2:48 PM EST reply actions

I’d assume this is sour grapes.

Aren’t players contractually obligated to attend the all star game, assuming they’re medically cleared to play? How can the league let so many guys skip it? If they’re not contractually obligated, why does anyone attend?

by Hatt the Moople on Jan 24, 2012 5:56 PM EST up reply actions