On Ovechkin's Hit On Heward
by J.P. on Jan 2, 2009 9:04 AM EST
49 comments
There's an inherent bias in being a fan of a team or a player - a Caps fan likely doesn't view Alex Ovechkin's hit on Jamie Heward the same way a Bolts fan does, and had the hit been Evgeny Artyukhin on Mike Green, we'd probably be calling for the former's head right now.
Not surprisingly, then, I don't think the hit is worthy of a suspension - I thought it was a hockey play.
Watch it again. Heward was skating along the boards, Ovi had him lined up, and then Heward turns back and towards the boards with his head lowered because (presumably) the puck wasn't coming around as hard as he had thought. A crisper pass along the boards and Ovi just finishes Heward a bit as they skate out of the zone, as he does a dozen times a game. But that's not what happened.
Hockey doesn't happen frame-by-frame, and Alex Ovechkin isn't a dirty player (he's been credited with more than 700 hits in his career and has a grand total of four boarding and three charging penalties). Lightning coach Rick Tocchet didn't think the play was dirty or that AO was attempting to injure Heward. So let's not make it into more than it was - an unfortunate, awkward hockey play.
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a tap
watch the play very closely, as they head toward the boards there is a very minor “warning” tap by ovechkin on Heward’s leg. The fundamental part of the boarding rule is that injured play have no way to defend himself, and ovechikin does appear to warn Heward
by luketheriault on Jan 2, 2009 9:11 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
That's like saying
that before running you down in a crosswalk, a city bus will “warn you” with its bumper.
Ovechkin was committed to the hit and coming in with speed. Had Heward not turned it would have been a nothing-to-see-here finishing check before the puck started back the other way. Instead, it wound up being Ovechkin’s speed and weight coming in with the perfectly wrong angle and timing to put Jamie’s head into the glass.
There was no “warning” tap. And even if there was contact, when you have a 220+ lb Russian Force of Nature coming at your back at close to full speed what exactly is one to do with a 0.2 second warning?
by Wisper on Jan 2, 2009 10:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
arent we kinda saying the same thing with the bus? if walk in the middle of an intersection without looking and a bus hits you is the bus driver at fault?
all I’m saying is Heward knew Ovechkin was there, and knew he was coming. Heward made a conscious, albeit split-second, decision to keep his eye (and body) on the puck rather than on the man. I would add that Heward also made the right call “take the hit to make the play”
there clearly was a warning tap…watch again, the stick was waist level and the blade was facing straight up with the curve facing AWAY from the Hewards arm. so clearly he wasn’t trying to poke check or even hook. Notice instantly after the tap he also drops the stick down and away with one arm so it won’t be near Heward when he hits
by luketheriault on Jan 2, 2009 11:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Half a hit
Head and shoulder made contact almost simultaneously. Nonetheless, unconsciousness was the result and hopefully it was just a ring of the bell and not a long term injury.
by hotdog88gt on Jan 2, 2009 9:13 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Ovie definitely did not run Heward. It was just an unfortunate play. I give Tocchet credit for not over reacting te way Torts did after Cooke’s run in with Vinny.
by Sombrero Guy on Jan 2, 2009 9:15 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
That’s about as routine a hockey check as you’ll ever see and on the Ovechkin hit-meter probably ranks no higher than a three. Not worth a suspenion, not even a review in my Caps fan opinion. Frankly, if Heward doesn’t make the turn back and lose his footing a bit, it isn’t even noticeable. It’s a hockey play, plain and simple and, to be brutally honest, it’s what can happen when a young freight train like Ovechkin meets up with an aging, less nimble defenseman. It’s why you don’t see too many 37-year old players in the NHL.
by b.orr4 on Jan 2, 2009 9:15 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Regardless of team allegiance, I never want to see a player get hurt. Accidents happen in sports, this was an accident plain and simple. The puck was being played by Heward when Ovechkin hit. He didn’t leave his feet and instead of bracing for the puck, Heward played it. Reminds me a bit of Pothier’s injury. He decided to play the puck instead of taking the hit. It wasn’t a cheap shot, just an unfortunate accident that even Ovie was shook up about.
by CapitalsKremlin on Jan 2, 2009 9:21 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
bracing for the hit* it’s been one day and I’ve already messed up one of JP’s resolutions.
by CapitalsKremlin on Jan 2, 2009 9:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Heh. I completely agree with this, typoes and all. After reviewing the replay, it does remind me an awful lot of the hit on Pothier. He zigged when Ovi was expecting him to zag and then put his head down to play the puck instead of taking the hit.
While the whole thing was very unfortunate and more than a little scary, it’s part of hockey. I noticed that TB didn’t run Ovi afterwards, and they were chippy enough that if they’d thought it was dirty, they jolly well would have. Sometimes this stuff happens. Of course, it’s Ovi, the guy challenging the media’s golden boy Crosby for “the face of the NHL” or some such crap, so heaven knows what Bettman’ll do.
by gotsparkly on Jan 2, 2009 9:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Good point, none of the Tampa players really took exception to the hit, it wasn’t vicious. But Ovechkin did have him lined up from the net to the wall, took three strides and hit a player from behind into the boards. If Ovechkin didn’t glide in and instead charged the whole way, then they probably would have had a problem with it.
It’s a penalty, but not a suspendable offense to me. If Heward doesn’t get hurt on the somewhat routine play then no one would probably have even noticed. Forwards take defensemen into the wall all the time.
by Hooks Orpik on Jan 2, 2009 9:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m with you, Hooks. A minor penalty maybe but he looked like primarily hit Heward from the side rather than the back. If he’d wanted to drill him into the boards headfirst he could have.
by David M. Getz on Jan 2, 2009 12:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Good point, none of the Tampa players really took exception to the hit,
Listen to this man. Players on the ice have a better viewpoint of the hit than we fans ever will. The lack of protesting from the Tampa bench pretty much tells me there’s nothing dirty about the hit.
It’s great to see that Heward was released from the hospital today. I always liked Jamie when he was here in Washington and I hope he recovers and comes back in no time flat.
I have as many wins in a Capitals uniform as Michael Belhumeur does.
by marky narc on Jan 2, 2009 2:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Bettman can’t suspend him, maybe a fine, but even then. This was an accident and even the Tampa Players and coaches understood this. A suspension for this hit would be ridiculous.
by CapitalsKremlin on Jan 2, 2009 9:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’ll just start by saying that I really don’t have a problem with the hit even though Ovie does play with reckless abandon most of the time, so this was bound to happen to someone eventually. That doesn’t make it dirty, just inevitable.
But Ovie can’t very well be the “face of the NHL”. It’s hard to market someone whose native tongue isn’t either English or French, and that counts double when he has his face plastered all over the ’net comparing him to Richard Kiel.
It might not be fair, but neither is life.
Pittsburgh Black And Gold -- So new, it still smells like paint!
by JustinM on Jan 2, 2009 9:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve never felt Ovie was the “face” of the NHL but rather just one of it’s craziest characters. He’s like the Kramer of the NHL. Not the title character but always stealing the laughs. Okay so maybe that’s a stretch.
by CapitalsKremlin on Jan 2, 2009 9:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
My comment was in reply to gotsparkly’s, implying that because Ovie isn’t Crosby, he’ll get punished for the hit. But your analogy isn’t so bad. :)
Pittsburgh Black And Gold -- So new, it still smells like paint!
by JustinM on Jan 2, 2009 10:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Then explain to me why Crosby was not called out by the media for punching that one Thrasher in the yambag while he was pinned by another player?
by gotsparkly on Jan 2, 2009 10:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Don’t know what you saw. I certainly saw all sorts of stories about it, myself. And this doesn’t necessarily make it okay, but stories when a guy actually gets hurt tend to get a lot more play than when they don’t. As far as I am aware, Boris Valabik’s yambag (great word, that) didn’t land him on a stretcher leaving the rink.
Pittsburgh Black And Gold -- So new, it still smells like paint!
by JustinM on Jan 2, 2009 4:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh I know you weren’t calling me out but, I did want to interject my opinion on the matter.
by CapitalsKremlin on Jan 2, 2009 10:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Listen up Pens fans. Nobody here wants OV to be the face of the league. Obviously, Caps fans think he should be, but that’s a league decision. We’re just tired of having Crosby shoved down our mugs as said face. We see that it’s a joke, and it appears you are coming around also. Crosby is very good at what he does, unfortunately he is not as complete a player as OV and does not bring what OV brings, EVERY NIGHT. There’s nothing to be mad or ashamed of.
Reading some of the Pens blogs today, it’s hysterical the inferiority complex Pens fans have about OV. Keep writing that silliness. It humors me to no end. Your insecurity is becoming contagious.
There is no comparison between the recent OV and Crosby situations. OV, during the course of play, made an quick instinctive decision to play the puck and the player who was on it (Heward). I’ve seen the play many times and CANNOT tell you whether it was a legal hit or not (I tend to think it was legal). Did Heward turn and put his head down at the last moment? There’s an argument for that. Did OV leave his feet with an intent to injure? There’s an argument for that, but replays are inconclusive regarding his feet (he did straighten his back), and the hour he spent outside the ’Ning locker room tells me there was no intent to injure.
The Crosby situation involved him, during a stoppage in play, attempting to “punch” a player (who btw is already engaged with another player), from behind in the nuts. Granted, there’s no damage done, but there can only be one reason to attempt this maneuver (yes folks, to injure).
At the end of the day, it’s about winning games. So far this year, OV has carried the Caps through an alarming string of injuries to both forwards and d-men alike. He’s willed the team, sometimes single handedly, to wins they did not “deserve” (see 5-4 @ Rangers). The Caps have the fourth-best record in the NHL. He’s a natural leader. He’s charismatic, and he’s honest and hard working. If you dont like him, fine with me. But please dont make up reasons not to like him, and please dont offer up Crosby as a better all-around player. Be honest. Say you dont like him because you dont like his team. Tell me the truth — that you’d trade Crosby or Geno for him — in a hearbeat…..
by Pi on Jan 2, 2009 8:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Which Pens blogs are those? I know I don’t read all of them, but I don’t remember seeing the hit being mentioned in any of the big ones, and for good reason. There wasn’t any “there” there. The only mention of Ovie I can remember is over at The Pensblog, where they complained that Caps fans weren’t able to pull it together to get him into the starting lineup. Remember, we tried to help you with that. (Well, not me, since I didn’t vote for anyone because I think the game’s a sham to start with, but my point stands.)
I wouldn’t trade Malkin or Crosby for Ovie, but that’s largely because I really don’t like his cap hit, even for one season, let alone 12 seasons after this one. I think your GM might come to regret the contract in time, especially if the cap comes down a bit in coming seasons. I’d consider sending Staal and Whitney down there for him, but we don’t have enough cap space to make that work.
There’s no question, though, that he’s an outstanding player who deserves to be in the discussion for best player in the world.
Pittsburgh Black And Gold -- So new, it still smells like paint!
by JustinM on Jan 3, 2009 12:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
OK, how’s this. If they all had the same contracts, would you trade OV for either Sid or Geno?
by Pi on Jan 3, 2009 1:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nope, they’re too valuable and I’m too greedy. Staal and Whitney, take it or leave it.
Pittsburgh Black And Gold -- So new, it still smells like paint!
by JustinM on Jan 3, 2009 4:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Staal and Whitney? For Ovechkin? That’s a good one—I bet you’d consider it because that would be the steal of the century for the Pens.
Here’s a reality check for you: Staal and Whitney wouldn’t even fetch Nick Backstrom, who’s quickly becoming your favorite yambag puncher’s offensive equal.
by bigonetimer on Jan 3, 2009 4:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The only thing the Caps could say is no. Remember that the Kings once called up Edmonton and said, “Hey, how about that Gretzky guy. He available?” They gave up 3 first round picks and a couple players who aren’t of anywhere near the quality of Whits and Staal…and Ovie’s no Gretzky. (Neither is Crosby, before you say that I’m implying that he is.)
Mark my words that if the Caps get into cap trouble, Ovie will be on the block, because it’ll either be his departure or it’ll be the Jagr years all over again (Jagr, one other player, and the AHL all-stars).
Pittsburgh Black And Gold -- So new, it still smells like paint!
by JustinM on Jan 4, 2009 10:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Listen, Justin, I get it: GM’s work the phones all the time. But it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that your “offer” is absurd. In fact, it’s laughable. Jordan Staal is a nice player, but one dimensional. He’s maybe the fourth best offensive talent PIT has. Ryan Whitney is coming off surgery, and when he is healthy, he’s a 2nd pair type. We have a superior offensive Dman in the fold already. Put it this way: If things were different, would you take Staal and Whitney for Crosby? For Malkin? Of course not.
Ovechkin’s deal is actually a bargain over the long haul, and is widely regarded as a good deal for the club—it was designed specifically to give the Caps flexibility to sign other top talent down the road. Mark these words: in 5 years, when Ovechkin is 28 and making 9M, there’ll be other contracts with higher avg cap hits for players who aren’t as good.
by bigonetimer on Jan 4, 2009 11:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I dunno, I think Ovechkin at 9.54 is a better deal than Crosby at 8.7.
by David M. Getz on Jan 3, 2009 4:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
no question, especially when you factor in that he’s a UFA at 26.
by bigonetimer on Jan 3, 2009 5:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
After Ovechkin's Hit
Actually, there were two shots – unsuccessful – taken at Caps players after the Heward hit.
The first was a couple of minutes later, when Pettinger of all people skated from the area around his bench to the far wall. Ovechkin was already tied up with one of the D, and half-way down on the boards, with the puck no longer nearby. Pettinger took a few strides and tried to nail Ovechkin where his head was (he actually had to aim low, because that’s where Ovechkin’s noggin was). Ovechkin seemed to move just in time to miss the blow, but from my vantage point directly across the ice, Pettinger was clearly head-hunting.
The second was in the last minute of play or so. Ironically, it was suggested in J.P.‘s post above. Back in the defensive zone, at the half wall opposite the Capitals’ bench, Evgeny Artyukhin had a high elbow shot right to Mike Green’s head. With the score 7-4 and less than a minute on the clock, what was that about except for intent to injure?
TB fans may complain of Ovehkin’s hit on Heward. I saw it as a hard hit and even on the replay, it seemed like a hockey play that took a bad turn. It was terrible to watch Heward motionless on the ice and we’re thankful that he’s apparently going to be well. If the league thinks that was too hard a hit, I disagree, but so be it. But I just don’t see how the league can overlook “intent to injure” situations like the ones described above, even thought we all know that they will.
by CapsDad on Jan 2, 2009 9:48 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Watching the replay, it looks like Ovechkin leaves his feet during the check, which could be considered a penalty. However, it was clearly an accident and there wasn’t intent to injure.
by boz on Jan 2, 2009 10:18 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Forearm
If Ovechkin doesn’t raise his forearm (which I feel like I’ve seen several times in the past), does Heward get injured?
by RickyRage on Jan 2, 2009 1:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I heard the controversy before I saw the hit, and I say as a pretty neutral observer that this hit wasn’t that bad. He wasn’t trying to drive Heward through the boards or anything, just bouncing off him to get the puck.
This pales in comparison to Crosby’s hit.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 2, 2009 1:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Not directly related, but...
…how to put a link in my signature?
The Flyer Frequent ( http://flyerfrequent.blogspot.com )
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 2, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No worries :)
The code looks like this:
The Flyer Frequent ( <a href=“http://flyerfrequent.blogspot.com”>http://flyerfrequent.blogspot.com</a> )
by gotsparkly on Jan 2, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I can think of several other hits that this one pales in comparison to – the one where Milan Lucic puts Mike Van Ryn through the glass comes to mind, as does Crosby punching that Thrasher below the belt while he’s pinned. (I assume that’s what you mean, yes?)
by gotsparkly on Jan 2, 2009 2:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Which hit? He’s only had a couple half decent checks all season long.
If we’re talking about yambags again, remember that Valabik didn’t even miss a shift (yes, I checked). For all the press that shot got, it was really quite inconsequential to both the game and the player’s health. His dignity, on the other hand, may have suffered a blow. Get it?
Pittsburgh Black And Gold -- So new, it still smells like paint!
by JustinM on Jan 2, 2009 4:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
CROSBY should be fined and suspended for this!!
by Leif on Jan 2, 2009 2:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Nah. :) Nobody should be fined and suspended for this one – it was an unfortunate accident. Now, if we talk about punching people in the yarbles – now you’ve got a conversation. :)
by gotsparkly on Jan 2, 2009 2:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What I don't care to see
is #8 losing even an iota of his aggressiveness. As Tocchet aptly points out, OV is the best player in the league because of his immense talent AND physical style, a combination nearly unmatched in the league. Hope he remembers it, but pushes off and it’s business as usual tomorrow.
The hit was from behind and could easily have been called a boarding, but with the way the rest of the refereeing went (apparently) I have to think neither zebra was in position to make the call. Dirty? No. It’s not his style, nor his rep. Danny Briere is dirty (sorry Salmon), and so is his willing protege, Scotty Upshall. Jerko Ruutu is dirty. But I won’t be surprised if OV gets a game or two—what a perfect example Bettman can set: “See, the stars don’t get preferential treatment from me…” Just sayin.
by bigonetimer on Jan 2, 2009 7:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
pathetic
the most pathetic part of the whole crosby punching someone in the nuts from behind WHILE the player was engaged with another penguin is the fact that crosby is the CAPTAIN! the fucking CAPTAIN! what a joke and embarrassment to the entire franchise and city. what do real captains do? they fight while they still have casts on their arms(see: clark, chris)
by ovechrist on Jan 3, 2009 1:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
And then there’s what Crosby did today…
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by J.P. on Jan 3, 2009 3:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I just saw the score, but I haven’t seen the incident. I’m guessing it will be on YouTube by 7.
by CapitalsKremlin on Jan 3, 2009 4:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He got in a fight off a faceoff with Brett McLean. He had McLean’s jersey over his head. I suppose that’s dirty now because Crosby did it, even though it’s happened approximately 28325236 times in the history of the NHL, and because McLean isn’t any more of a fighter than Crosby is.
Basically, Sid got pissed off, jumped the guy, gave him a bloody nose, and got to sit for 19 minutes because of it. It was stupid for sure, but at that point I think all he knew was red seething rage. Dignified pugilist like Laraque he ain’t.
Pittsburgh Black And Gold -- So new, it still smells like paint!
by JustinM on Jan 3, 2009 4:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I suppose that’s dirty now because Crosby did it, even though it’s happened approximately 28325236 times in the history of the NHL, and because McLean isn’t any more of a fighter than Crosby is.
No, it’s dirty now just like it was the other (estimated) 28325236 times.
by David M. Getz on Jan 3, 2009 4:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I just saw it. Just a frustrated player venting. He got his penalty minutes. No big deal.
Hey, at least he wasn’t jumping in as a third man and socking him in the doo-dads! :)
I have as many wins in a Capitals uniform as Michael Belhumeur does.
by marky narc on Jan 3, 2009 5:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Huh. I take back what I said about the fight. Apparently Crosby asked McLean to fight, he said yes, and then turtled when Crosby jumped him. Apparently he thought Sid was kidding around. Lesson learned, I guess.
Pittsburgh Black And Gold -- So new, it still smells like paint!
by JustinM on Jan 4, 2009 10:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You serious? It used to be the goal in every single fight to get the other guy’s jersey over his head so you could go about your business without the other guy seeing what was going on.
Pittsburgh Black And Gold -- So new, it still smells like paint!
by JustinM on Jan 4, 2009 9:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
22 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 30 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 23 |
|
Atlanta
|
18 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 22 |
|
Florida
|
20 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 20 |
|
Carolina
|
21 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 13 |
(updated 11.21.2009 at 12:53 AM EST)
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