Thursday, October 11, 2007

Another Week, Another Flyer Cheap Shot

In the wake of Flyer Steve Downie's suspension for a high hit on Ottawa's Dean McAmmond comes the below cheap shot from Philly's part-time tough/spare part Jesse Boulerice.

I'd expect a big suspension - into the double digits - and I think that it might even be in the upper teens as the League likes to make bigger examples of more expendable players (and given that it's the second straight Flyer to act up, maybe they want to send a message to the team as well, though I know this is something no one in the organization condones). And don't forget that ten years ago, Boulerice was suspended for an entire year by the OHL for a stick-related incident.

Anyway, take a look and play this round of "Guess the Suspension" in the comments (and before answering, I might suggest you check out one of my favorite blog posts ever, from Battle of Alberta on the reason(s) for suspensions).

Update: Boulerice gets 25 games.

21 comments:

Unknown said...

12-15. If the head is a point of emphasis...

Anonymous said...

That was my guess...I'll have to extend my range to 18 then. :)

After hearing of an ejection, I just assumed it was the Vancouver goalies after seeing the score.

The Peerless said...

Enough already...

I don't much care if it's in the heat of the moment, or these guys had had some run-ins earlier in the game, disincentives -- heavy ones, even excessive ones -- need to be imposed on those who might be inclined to giving head shots, especially with a stick. Given that the Flyers have already had one player take a 20, and that this looks a bit too much like Chris Simon's whack late last season.

25 games

Anonymous said...

Plus, look at how far away from the action it was. At least McAmmond had had the puck just before the hit.

If it's not at least 20, then there's no consistency.

NS said...

dude, he friggin cross checked him in the face!! It wasn't like it was in the middle of the action so he might have missed...he aimed and cross checked him in the face.

heavy fine and 30 game suspension without pay. F this.

Abhinav said...

NS, read TG's post again.

I emailed JP with a prediction of 10-15, but I'm swaying more towards PP's prediction of 25.

-RG

Anonymous said...

WTF was that, totally uncalled for. Give em 50 games.

PB said...

What I would like to see: 25 +

What I think will happen: 15

Hans B. said...

The Flyers seem to be hell-bent on getting back to their old 1980s form.

There is no place for head-hunting in the NHL. Headshots, along with knee-on-knee hits, are the lowest forms of thuggery that exist in hockey and continue to give a glorious sport a bad name.

I personally think that he should be put in stocks in the middle of Harbour Centre and left to the mercy of the Canucks' fans, but I suppose a 20+ game suspension without pay and a hefty fine will do.

Anonymous said...

This is the second Flyer player pulling a stunt like this in less than a month. Send a strong message to the Flyer organization and all their players. 25 games.

Anonymous said...

I'd guess somewhere between 20-30 games... more towards 30... the puck was no where near the Canuck player and he clearly went for the head with the stick...

C. Stone said...

How many did Colton Orr get for the crosscheck on Ovechkin? 5? They were pretty similar except Kesler was hurt more.

Not saying Boulerice doesn't deserve 15+ games, more that Orr deserved more than 5.

I'm looking forward to Brash pummeling Orr tomorrow night.

Anonymous said...

You'd hope this clown gets at least what Downie got, this stick to the head crap is going to get someone killed on day. If you or I did that, there'd be police involved in a heartbeat. 25 games minimum, send a message Campbell.

Anonymous said...

>Send a strong message to the Flyer organization and all their players.

b.orr4, wasn't that the intent of the Downie suspension?

Unknown said...

Prediction: 12-15.
Preferred: 20-25.

Big test for the NHL, a much bigger test than penalizing an AHL goon was.

Anonymous said...

Totally off this subject but hockey related and inspirational:

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/story/181871.html

FAUX RUMORS said...

1) The bar has been set as this on replay appears to look much like the Simon on Holweg stick incident of last year. Therefore we'd expect a 20-25 game suspension, especially given this goon's past history
2) Unlike the Neil hit last week, or even the Downie hit this one has ZERO place in hockey. If you have a beef with a guy, be a man and drop the mitts and get it over with.
3) Its not fighting that hurts hockey, its goonery of this fashion that hurts the sport. We can only imagine this will be the ONLY hockey 'highlight' shown on ESPN tonight!

Anonymous said...

Look at the idiot about to throw his gloves and fight him... you knocked him out, you moron...

Anonymous said...

>Send a strong message to the Flyer organization and all their players.

b.orr4, wasn't that the intent of the Downie suspension?<

If it was, it sure didn't get through to management. If the league keeps upping the ante for every Flyer who goes headhunting maybe they'll finally get the message.

McNabb2Jackson said...

Quit Crying about it.

These are Hockey players, they bash each other all the time.

So he went a little overboard, with the stick to the face, but stop with the "send a message" crap.

It's gonna happen again no matter what the suspension is. I hope next time Kesler doesn't get up at all.

You sound like a bunch of babies.

Go Flyers!

JP said...

You are truly peerless, Peerless - 25 games for 'Rice.

Kudos to everyone else who nailed it, too.