Thursday 10 March 2011

Chara's hit on Pacioretty


Basically, Chara hit Pacioretty when he didn't have the puck, right into the piece of glass between the two benches. Pacioretty was out cold for a few minutes and fractured one of his vertebrae. If you watch the video, it looks like Chara looks up, knowing where he is on the ice, and purposely hits Pacioretty into the glass knowing he will be hurt.

So Chara got suspended right? Nope. He got kicked out of the game. But no suspension, no fines, nothing. And Pacioretty will be out for the rest of the season and playoffs at the very least.

So what do you guys think? Should Chara have been given a bigger punishment? Or was it an innocent interference play? Personally, I think Chara is a lumbering goon, I mean Bruin, who injured Pacioretty on purpose. If it were my decision, I'd fine him and kick him out for ten games.

Sorry for posting a sports video, but I think this raises an interesting safety question. Why wasn't that piece of glass padded? It wouldn't detract from the game at all. It would hardly cost anything, especially compared with the cost of treating an injury like Pacioretty's. If the glass was padded, the debate wouldn't even exist. Pacioretty might have gotten a minor concussion at worst.

So I think the NHL has messed up on two counts. They need to step up safety measures in the rink, and issue suspensions for acts with evident mal-intent.

17 comments:

  1. In this day and age of hyper sensitivity to injuries, I'm really surprised that situation unfolds like that. Interesting.

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  2. damn, was watching that game... seriously thought he died.

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  3. owch, must have been tough for the guy

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  4. Damn, that will hurt the next day

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  5. Hockey gets intense and dangerous. I think it's half the reason so many people get into it. I like your idea on extra safety though. Playing hockey shouldn't put your health at risk.

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  6. I couldn't agree more. If Hockey was safer I'm sure more people would play it, and it would probably get more investment.

    Then again, a lot of people quite enjoy the violence in games like Hockey. So I think you really need to balance the two.

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  7. You called this dead on, but then when are those in charge of the game going to listen to sense like this when there's money to be made?

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  8. hockey is fucking crazy man

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  9. That did look pretty dirty. I agree that the glass should be padded to lessen these types of injuries.

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  10. I agree, should definitely have been given a bigger punishment.

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  11. Kev-dog, you got it man. Stick to Soccer!

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