Vol. I, No. 16
March 14, 2010
Daylight savings time has caused some mental fatigue. One hour of sleep deprivation is all it takes.
Last night, before the DST transition, Don Cherry weighed in on Hockey Night in Canada. He laced into the NHL and the GM meeting with its pass-the-buck decision on head shots. Cherry was incensed.
Last night, before the DST transition, Don Cherry weighed in on Hockey Night in Canada. He laced into the NHL and the GM meeting with its pass-the-buck decision on head shots. Cherry was incensed.
Scroll forward about 15 hours.
On NBC, the Hockey Game of the Week is on. Mike Milbury (just like Cherry, an ex-head coach of the Boston Bruins) has defended the NHL. He believes that hard hits, even the kind that are premeditated head shots, are simply part of the sport. Milbury thinks hockey is in danger of being softened to the point of being like squash (the racket sport). Mike has apparently never played squash.
On NBC, the Hockey Game of the Week is on. Mike Milbury (just like Cherry, an ex-head coach of the Boston Bruins) has defended the NHL. He believes that hard hits, even the kind that are premeditated head shots, are simply part of the sport. Milbury thinks hockey is in danger of being softened to the point of being like squash (the racket sport). Mike has apparently never played squash.
Cherry vs Milbury. This is what makes horse races. Shown below is the text of a letter just sent to the New England Sports Network. Milbury is a sportscaster for NESN. Maybe with another good night's rest, Mike will come to his senses.
Hockey Rules!
Dear Mike:
I am a hockey fan, ex-amateur/hobby hockey player, attended Bowdoin College and still love to skate, even though I’m about a year older than you. I liked your commentary during the Olympics. Right now, I am watching the NBC Game of the Week. I just heard your comments during the 1st intermission.
Last night, on Hockey Night in Canada, Don Cherry roundly criticized the NHL and Colin Campbell. He did not try to defend them. For once in my life, I am in Cherry’s corner. I just don’t agree with you.
There is a difference between headshots with intent to injure, and what Alex Ovechkin just did to Brian Campbell. I think the league can get its act together and have a firm guideline. Hit all you want (you are right, physical play is part of the game). But don’t run a player from behind and aim for the noggin.
Brian Campbell will be OK. Marc Savard is in for a rough go. Matt Cooke deserved a suspension, or more. I anticipate a war at the Fleet Center on Wednesday, and hope that someone does not try to eliminate Sidney Crosby.
On one thing we both agree. The league’s rule-setting process should be given an ejection. If the owners/GMs won’t police themselves (and I think they can’t), then the league must empower itself to make decisions to protect the players.
Oh and by the way, from my days at Bowdoin with equal time on the ice and squash court, SQUASH is not beach volleyball. Injuries are common. Headgear is a good idea. In hockey, full-face protection with cages (just like in college hockey and pro football, that other pansy sport) ought to be mandated.
Hockey Rules!
Hockey Rules!
No comments:
Post a Comment