Ice Man

By Alan

January 31, 2008 12:50 AM | Link to this

I agree with you on pretty much every point, Rawhide. Two things, though:

a. Despite Ruutu’s classless hit on Kovalchuk, I wouldn’t necessarily make a call for players to go after him. I think Ruutu will take a lot of hits in the next game we face them, but I think Atlanta needs to concentrate more on putting the puck in the back of the net. After all, that’s how you win games. A shot not taken is a potential goal not scored.

b. Now that the Thrashers look energized, can they keep it going? We don’t need anymore sloppy play from our team. We need to come out and dominate teams, and we need to dominate in a major way. We have literally no more time to screw around.

We’re in second place by a point tonight, and two points out of first. Both Carolina (vs Toronto) and Washington (vs Montreal) have games tomorrow. Those two lose tomorrow and we win Friday, and we’re tied up for first.

By Tony C.

January 31, 2008 1:07 AM | Link to this

Ruutu’s not known for his Lady-Byng Caliber play.

This is the guy that Simon had judged to be enough of a goon that he stomped n his skate with his skate-blade….Wonder why?

By Barry

January 31, 2008 3:27 AM | Link to this

I agree. Rutuu didn’t have Kovy squared up to check him in the first place. Ya Kovy side stepped a foot after chipping the puck in the zone but Rutuu led with his knee no doubt while the rest of him slammed up against the boards while Kovy was a good 2-3 feet to his right. If Kovy was suspended a game for clipping Rosival in the head then Rutuu should AT LEAST get a day suspension. I applaud Mac for sticking up for Kovy and he just unloaded on Rutuu. Talk about getting owned. :)

By PJ

January 31, 2008 6:13 AM | Link to this

Hey, if anyone can get hold of the Mac and Ruutu fight, please post it, I’d love to see it.

By Sara

January 31, 2008 6:36 AM | Link to this

Rawhide Holik’s goal was at even strength, not on the PP. And for those of you at the game and not watching Thrashers Live afterwards, the Captain was extremely testy when they interviewed him after the game. Really gave the interviewers a lot of attitude. Quite strange.

One other correction too…Ruutu didn’t lead with his knee. He led with his knee and his elbow. How much trouble he’ll get into after the fact remains to be seen obviously, but as Eliot pointed out, the knee on knee contact happened in part to Kovy trying to move out of the way. Hard to know what would have happened otherwise. Doesn’t excuse Ruutu’s positioning going into the hit certainly. The plus side is Kovy did come back during the game, which should mean the knee is structurally sound. MAJOR props to Kovy for making the attempt to play through it, HUGE props to Mac for about taking Ruutu’s head off, and SUPER props to the team for not collapsing when Kovy did.

I have to agree with alan’s comment earlier. The next game is no time to go after Ruutu. Right now the games and the points are too important to get sidetracked with revenge. Hockey players have long memories. First game next season is soon enough to address this issue.

By ToF

January 31, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this

Here is video of the hit and fight

Suspend Rutuu for a couple just on general principle. I guess it was either knee on knee or a ‘bow to the chops.

By Russian

January 31, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this

Ruttu is SOB. I think he is alergic for Russians. He injured Russian Captian on last World Cup. I hope Kovy is going to be OK. He played one shift on second period, it is good sign. I am Looking forward to see any news for Craig today. We need to get two points from Banana team! :-)

By Rawhide

January 31, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this

Sara - Yup…Holik’s goal was 5 on 5…I was looking at the yahoo.com’s box score and at the time it showed the Thrashers PP as 2-5. They have since updated and your correction is noted and logged.

I watched the replay via ToF’s link, (thank you)….and it makes me angrier still. The shred-of-human-debris Ruutu did indeed go after Kovy with knee and elbow up….and far after the play was over as he took his cheap shot!

Thus I will completely disagree with you and Alan in regards to no retribution! There HAS to be retribution!!! Especially if the NHL does not sit that lousy punk?s butt out for at least 10 games!

To do NOTHING would be to tell the league is just fine to come after Kovalchuk…because nothing is gonna happen to you if you do! Last week in New York the Rangers took shots at our guys and nothing happened. When we last played Montreal, they hit Enstrom?no accountability was inflicted.

We looked like wimps for allow them to have their way with us and not having to pay the price.

Nothing will draw cheap hits like the one on Kovy last night any more then when you display weakness and apathy!

As for McCarthy, as far as I’m concerned he just made up for his +/- rating….he’s at “even” in my book right now!

By FormerIslesFan

January 31, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this

RH I agree with you entirely on this one. There has to be payback in the next game and it has to be this season. While I agree that the best revenge is scoring and putting the Pens in their place, there is nothing that says that that revenge is mutually exclusive to physical payback.

Never one to defend DW, I think this post-game quote of his is certainly worth mentioning:

Absolutely. I congratulated him after the game because I think our team arose from that. When one of your best players gets hit like that, and then your player jumps in like that, that’s a penalty we will kill all the time.

It’s called The Code. Alan and Sara, I’m in RH’s corner on this one and just have to disagree with you.

I don’t know if you guys noticed it last night, but of the final 5 minutes of the game, Georges Laraque was out there for the Pens for about 3 1/2 minutes of it. Don’t tell me that they are not expecting it…

By Midfield

January 31, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this

AMEN, RAWHIDE! Now we’re talking hockey. For those of you earning for ice escapades, you can just watch Hossa skating round and round and waiting for the right offer to come his way.

By Tom

January 31, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this

ESPN has Bucci discussing the knee on knee hit and highlights Ruutu sticking out his knee here in the video.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=280130028&campaign=rss&source=NHLHeadlines

By TheCousin

January 31, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this

The Ruutu hit was nowhere near dirty. If Kovy doesn’t drop to the ice like a sack of potatoes then nothing gets called. They didn’t make any call until McCarthy attacked Ruutu and then felt like they had to appease the Atlanta crowd and threw the book at Ruutu. How Ruutu got 5 for fighting is a joke. Yeah Ruutu got knocked on his butt real fast but that’s because McCarthy blindly attacked him and then punched him in the back of the head about 6 times. By your reasoning, Kovy should have been given a major penalty for kneeing too. If Ruutu can get 5 for fighting when a classless goon attacks him then it’s only fair that Kovy gets the same when he gets hit. Oh wait, that’s right, penalties aren’t supposed to go to both people when only one actually commits it. Ruutu should have gotten 2 for roughing at the worst. McCarthy should have got 2 for instigating and 5 for roughing with intent to injure and a game misconduct. Quit whining and deal with the fact that it’s a contact sport and people sometimes get hurt. Intent to injure lies solely with McCarthy in this situation and hopefully the league suspends him too if they decide to take action against Ruutu for his good, clean hit that Kovy avoided. If he would’ve just taken the check and not tried to run away nothing would’ve happened. There was no intent to injure, just the intent to play the game hard.

By Midfield

January 31, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

…hope that I’m not too testy and showing too much attitude. That would be inaproppriate for a hockey blog, would it?

By LAC

January 31, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this

The hit on Kovy was “dirty” according to TSN guys…

Ruutu or whatever is a DAMN LIAR to even attempt to say it was clean, he moves hit knee right into Ilya, then hits the boards so fast he goes half way over and he has the utter gall to say he was only finishing his check ????????

Just another emample of a guy with maybe one goal and 6 assists trying to make a name for himself because he otherwise SUCKS as an NHL player.

Next Pittsburgh game, bring Boris up and have him level this clown once and for all.

Kudos to waddell… for calling out Mac for an OUTSTANDING response, just wish he had bloodied his face a whole lot more.

By Stats

January 31, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this

I posted about a month ago as “J”, but then found out you already had one. Since I am a stats junkie, I picked a new name. I wanted to get this up yesterday, but could not (stupid job)… Stats are through the AS break.

If ATL is going to move Hossa, we better make sure we can replace the offense. Sounds crazy…. but - Hossa is in the top 10 in the league in shots at 190. Kovy has 197. It drops off dramatically to Koz at 102, everyone else is < 100. Compare that to DET who has 6 players with over 100 shots (and two more just shy).
Kovy is the only player who even registers in the top 50 for shot %. This means (no shocker) that we are not taking many shots and not hitting when we take them. better make sure we can pick up the slack if Hoss is moved. No matter what happens on defense, can’t win if you don’t shoot.

Another interesting stat - goaltending is more consistent than you might think, particularly Kari. I know it is oversimplifying, but I classify a “good” (not great) game in goal as saving over 90%. A bad game is under 90% and a meltdown is under 80%. Basically, if the team does its job and can hold shots under 30, then 90% saves will make it a winnable game. Soft goals, tough goals, funny bounces are irrelevant to me. If you let in a bad goal, but save another that most others wouldn’t, you are still down 1 goal. Since 12/1 - Kari has 21 appearances. 62% of them have been good with only one meltdown. 3 of his “bad” games were the last 3 of the season and anyone who watched them could hardly put it on goaltending (particulary the NYR). Moose is not so good with 50/50 good/bad and 2 meltdowns in 9 appearances. I was surprised that under this lens, he is the more ‘inconsistent.’
Kari’s numbers of good games, bad games and meltdowns are pretty much in the middle around the league and not too much off of Osgood and Hasek in DET (especially if you drop out the Buffalo & NYR games). A good standard seems to be about 70%. The DET bunch is at 74%.

What does it all mean? Last stat - if you look at the losses since Dec. 1 and you ask teh following: If the defense played better (meaning less than 30 shots), would the game have changed? If the offense played better (meaning 30 or more shots) would the game have changed? or If the goaltending would have been more solid (90% +) would the game have changed? (Again, I know it is oversimplifying.)

You will find that more than 1/2 of the time even if the defense and goaltending had been sharp, we simply did not have enough scoring chances to win. In other words, we would have lost 2-1 or 3-2 (or tied) instead of 5-2 or, yikes, 10-1.

So - we better be careful about shipping out too much offense. Is it possible that we could make our playoff push by adding offense and by making offense our best defense?

Thanks for reading and for the last few weeks of posting. Back to work for another few weeks.

By R. Stroz

January 31, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this

TheCousin - Obviously, you are an idiot.

Would you like to step outside for a few clean blows and we’ll see who drops like a sack of potatoes?

By Midfield

January 31, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this

Cousin from pitt-shh-burg, no amount of bllsht and denial will change the fact. Punk Ruutu has not done this for the first time - I mean the cheap shot, not “the imaginary clean hit”. He has never performed the latter. Hockey is a contact sport, alright, and I hope that Ruutu will enjoy a lot of contact from here on out.

By TheCousin

January 31, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

R. Stroz - So I’m an idiot because I’m not a hometown Atlanta fan who screams bloody murder every time Kovy takes a hit? And sure I’d love to step outside and see who drops first. As long as you don’t get to play by McCarthy’s rules and take a run at me when my back is turned and then say it’s all my fault.

Hit was clean, or at least would have been if Kovy didn’t sidestep the check.

By Bob

January 31, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this

Rutuu is a punk. They have to put the instigator rule back in to deal with punks like him that run around, he’s been doing it for a while now, this isn’t his first incident. Kovy better be alright, but I’m worried.

Look at how focused Lehtonen plays when he gets rest. Amazing. They really should consider a 1a and 1b with him and Moose, he always breaks down if they play him 4 or more games in a row.

Looks like the meeting they had Tuesday amongst the players did them some good, I wonder if anyone called Hoss out, since he played better.

By Midfield

January 31, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

Cousin. You’re an idiot because you’re denying the obvious and piling it on McCarthy to distract attention from the punk Ruutu. As they say in Pittsburg, when pass gas in a crowd, complain the loudest, eh?

By TheCousin

January 31, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

Midfield- Very creative with the pitt-shh-burg, think that one up all on your own? Fact is it wasn’t a dirty play. And Ruutu will have no problem taking alot of contact from now on because he’s a hockey player and unlike Kovy he can actually stand up to a check. Maybe Kovy can use some time off with an injury to do some strength training. And if you watch the hit, Ruutu is going full speed to make a hit with his upper body, that’s why he almost flips over the boards.

By Rawhide

January 31, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

TheCousin - I always like to welcome new posters, so since I haven’t seen you in these parts before, I wish to extend the same greeting to you.

Needless to say, i could not disagree with you more, however. The hit on Kovy was a direct intent to injure as he came in knee first and elbow high long after the puck left Kovy.

If you watch the feed provided by ToF found above, the announcers even state it was late and that he was taking advantage of a freebie….and I believe they were the Pittsburgh announcers.

Any objective individual with any knowledge of ice hockey would clearly agree…it was a cheap shot.

By Midfield

January 31, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

Yeah, ruutu is going full speed with his knee and elbow sticking out. That’s called ‘taking a run’. And you are double classless for claiming that Kovy can’t take a hit. Kovy almost knocked Avery unconcious last year when they both dropped gloves.

By TheCousin

January 31, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this

Midfield- Don’t really know where you got that saying from but I’m not denying the obvious, I’m pointing it out. Obvious: Ruutu hit Kovy, Kovy got hurt, McCarthy attacked Ruutu with intent to injure, refs gave Ruutu unnecessary penalty for fighting and excessive penalty for hit on Kovy. Yeah their knees hit so give him 2 for kneeing if you really want but they went way overboard with their protection of Kovy just because of who he is.

By The Other Bob

January 31, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

You’re far too polite to this moron, RH…..TheCousin is a complete idiot if he thinks that was not an intent to cream Kovy!

By R. Stroz

January 31, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this

TheCousin - If you are ever in town, let me know, make sure to bring a casket and increase your life insurance before coming this way. Your relatives might as well receive some compensation for putting up with you.

By the way, how is Cindy doing with his ankle sparin?

By kopl

January 31, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

Ruutu’s check was not an intentional kneeing. If Kovalchuk had received the hit like a normal hockey player, he wouldn’t have been injured. Instead he put himself in a vulnerable position by trying to duck at the last moment. Ruutu’s brother Tuomo was taken out by an open ice knee check a few years ago, so I really don’t think he’s intentionally going around trying to destroy knees. Of course he’s going to try to hit the opposing team’s star players and be a pest because that’s his job, but there was nothing dirty about the hit. No one would even be talking about it if Kovalchuk had taken it like he’s supposed to.

By Midfield

January 31, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

Cousin, you have me at “don’t really know”. The rest of your posty is - as you say - unnecessary.

By Buzilla Baby Blues

January 31, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

I hope you chumps for Pitts bought up all those sh*tty Crosby all-star jeresys for half off. You guys can use them to dry your eyes after your beat down.

I liked the Penguins better when they were moving to KC to become the Scouts.

By Midfield

January 31, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

Cousin’s cloning himself. Thanks for leaving McCarthy out of this - at the very least. ‘cos, I was gonna say that if Ruutu was not trying to avoid fighting like a real man, McCarthy would hit him in the face, not in the back of his empty skull.

By TheCousin

January 31, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

RawHide- Thanks for the welcome.

I respect your opinion, but feel I must disagree. After watching the replay a couple more times, his elbow is at board level and the puck leaves Kovy’s stick about 1 second before the hit in slow motion so even less in real time. Also those aren’t the Pittsburgh (thank you for spelling it correctly) announcers, that’s the TSN broadcast. They say it was late, but it was actually before the whistle which they only kind of acknowledge at the end. I appreciate your ability to be civil and I apologize for the possible impression of me from my dealings with these other posters.

My main issue is with the penalties that were handed out. The league needs to stop taking into account who people are when the refs hand out penalties. Just because Ruutu was involved there is no reason why he should have been issued a fighting major. Ruutu played to the whistle and if they would have issued just a penalty for kneeing I might have been fine with that. McCarthy should have at least gotten a game misconduct as well.

Intent is hard to judge and could be debated all day, but personally I don’t feel he was running at Kovy’s knee, just going to make a hard hit. The injury is unfortunate, and you never like to see the stars of the league get hurt, but you also can’t hand out extra punishment just because of the injury. Hopefully it ends at this and there is no suspension.

By Midfield

January 31, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

Oh. How very civil of you, Cousin. You are still an idiot, and I apologize for not making it clearer.

By J(Z)

January 31, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

TheCousin. Flip the script, What if that was Boulton’s knee on Crosby, then LaRock (sp?) starts wailing on Boulton? Don’t you think the ref makes the same exact call? It’s called protecting the superstars and it happens often.

I will agree with you though, that the fighting major was a joke, Ruutu never even took his gloves off!

Nice “stats” other J!

By Buzilla Baby Blues

January 31, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

I thought they announced at the game that McCarthy got a game misconduct along with Ruupoo. But he obviously didn’t since I saw him play the rest of the game. Anyone else in the arena last night hear that?

By TheCousin

January 31, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

Midfield- No cloning necessary, I’m just not alone in my view.

And Ruutu would have fought if there was something to fight about. However McCarthy created something out of nothing and somehow convinced the refs to penalize Ruutu for getting attacked.

BuzillaBabyBlues- Why is it that everyone who doesn’t have Crosby on their team hates him so much? He’s good, accept it and move on. Is Kovy good too, absolutely but we don’t sit around yelling about how much he sucks. To say that Crosby is sh*tty is just uninformed and innacurate.

By The Other Bob

January 31, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

He’s good, accept it and move on. Is Kovy good too, absolutely but we don’t sit around yelling about how much he sucks - No,…you just send out a goon to take out his knees, you tool!

By Sara

January 31, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

I still disagree with trying to extract extra retribution at this time of the season. Playing smart doesn’t really mean a team is a bunch of pansies. They did answer the hit as soon as it happened. I just think the last thing this team needs in the next game is to go head-hunting, let the refs think their head-hunting and every questionable contact could result in a call against us. Sorry, but we need the two points way too much right now to risk throwing them away on a complete POS like Ruutu.

And real cute midfield - no, all testiness and attitude is approved on this blog, unless of course you’re a blind and deaf Pittsburgh fan. :p I just thought it was weird after a 4-1 win for Holik to basically be a complete @sshat to the reporters.

By Midfield

January 31, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

I am sure, the asylum is full this time of year. It’s getting cold in p**.

By TheCousin

January 31, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

J(Z)- You’re probably right, but that still doesn’t mean that that’s how it should be called.

Midfield- It is civil. Maybe you could try it sometime.

BuzillaBabyBlues- He was called for a misconduct but not for a game misconduct. The difference is that he can come back after 10 minutes but Ruutu couldn’t because his was a game misconduct.

By Midfield

January 31, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

This is funny. AJC admin now abbreviates Pittsburgh as p**. Interesting.

By J(Z)

January 31, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

BBB - I think the PA guy said 10 minute misconduct. Not “game” misconduct.

Speaking of Steve, the PA guy, what can we do to get him to stop all his in game commentary? Does he really need to say “Thrashers, FULL STRENGTH!” or “Thrashers, Offsides or Icing”. It makes us fans look like we’re retarded and it’s embarassing because other people just use that as amunition to make fun of ATL Hockey!

By Rawhide

January 31, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

Holy CRAP! I just got called CIVIL!!! I must be getting old! LOL!!!!

On a bit of a different note, has everyone noticed the amount of columns being pumped out by our hometown writers???

HHhhhmmmm, one might get the impression that something is about to go down….

By gwhst7

January 31, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

You are all crazy. Ruutu did not lead with his knee. Ruutu did not have his elbow up. If any other player besides Ruutu had made this hit, there would be no discussion. I don’t even think the refs called a penalty until they realized Ruutu was invloved.

Bottom line is Ruutu finished his check. Kovalchuk tried to get out of the way and paid a price. Hope he is not serioulsy injured.

By beau vighn

January 31, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

I don’t think we want to get into a fisticuff battle with Pittsburg. They would clean our clock. We do not have even 1 guy on our team who you would consider a bona fide bad arse. I wonder what would happen if one of our guys would have led with a knee against Sid the kid.

By Sara

January 31, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

J(Z) actually there are announcers in other arenas that do/say the same things as Steve. Plus, while it may sound stupid to those of us who get hockey, it might be very helpful to someone who’s only been to a couple of games and is a bit confused about what’s going on. Just a thought.

By jm

January 31, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

It sure looked like a deliberate attempt to injure, to me. Ruutu deserves to have his lousy butt suspended for at least 2 games! I guess the Penguins are mad at the world because Sid the Kid is hurt — that’s NOT an excuse to go after other teams’ star players. GET WELL SOON, KOVY: WE NEED YOU!

By Buzilla Baby Blues

January 31, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

I thought I heard game misconduct. I did have a Gorin’s Hat trick in me so I couldn’t be sure.

On a side note, I saw the Gorin’s Guys in my section. They were treated like heros. Hilarious

By Maal

January 31, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

Fired up, they were all over Pens keeper Ty Conklin like a pants suit on Hillary Clinton.

HAHAHAHAHHA. I almost LOL’d at that.

You check mine out? I’ll email you the translations later if you want.

Any word on if the league is reviewing the hit / possible suspension? I would feel very dirty typing that tool’s name into my google toolbar.

By R. Stroz

January 31, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

Roethlisberger needs to give Ruutu some motorcycle driving lessons.

By Buzilla Baby Blues

January 31, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

My friend Rone and I were talking during the game. Since the game was in hand we let our minds wonder a bit.

They did the “Kiss Cam” routine. They had a few real couples kissing. Then the staged ones in which all the new people to the arena found to be gangbusters. We thought of what will happen when one of the two old couple that they show on the kiss cam dies? It will obviously be pretty said. They go all the time. Do you think they may go to stock footage of them kissing? They must have over a hundred kisses on file by now. Can you image if you were the surviving spouse, a widow, and the arena played a tape of you kissing your deceased partner? I’d lose it. The widow probably wouldn’t go to games anymore.

When you get that hammered at games you start to think of stupid sh*t like this. And when you are bored at work you have time to share these thoughts with people who are probably now p** that they wasted there time reading this.

To those people I apologize.

By stats

January 31, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

J(Z) - Thanks for the note. I think it got lost in the verbal sparring. Probably went better w/ yesterday’s column. Unfortunately, I do not have any stats on illegal hits. I can tell you that Ruutu is top 25 in the league in PIM, but most are minors. he is on pace this year for a career high in PIM, including majors and misconduct - maybe he is trying to make a name for himself at something. At the end of the day, if you are going to be an “enforcer” you do not get the benefit of the doubt on any hit.

By The Other Bob

January 31, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this

Good GOD!! Are Pittsburgh Penguin fans really as STUPID as what we have been subjected to this morning????

By J(Z)

January 31, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this

LOL, that clip of the little boy kissing the little girl, then the little girl smacking him…made sportscenter last night, for some reason!

By Kozzie13

January 31, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

Cousin The good old 5 for roughing with intent to injure?? I hate to break it to you but there’s no such thing as a major penalty for roughing

By DWTOO

January 31, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

Hey Cousin - Why not move back to Pittsburgh? That way you can rationalize the cheap shot with others of your ilk. It comes down to this - When you lead with your knees and elbows it’s a cheap shot. End of story.

By gwhst7

January 31, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

Let me correct this for you Bob.

Good GOD! Are Thrashers fans really as STUPID as what we have been subjected to this morning????

By Dave

January 31, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

I think Atlanta fans need to be careful about saying they beat a down on aPittsburgh team without a full bench (meaning Kovalchuck). Pittsburgh played without regulars Gary Roberts, Tyler Kennedy, Colby Armstrong and Adam Hall. Oh and don’t forget the guy named Sidney Crosby. I do have to say that I hope Kovalchuck is not seriously hurt, it is best for the game is all of the All-Star caliber players are on the ice to give fans the best game possible. Also, speaking of cheap shots, wasn’t Kovalchuck suspended for a game for an illegal hit from behind earlier this year?

By Rawhide

January 31, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

gwhst7 and beau vighn …and anyone else in here new that I may have missed…here is your customary “welcome”…glad you took the time to post.

But PUH-frickin’-PLEEZE! Give it a rest with the “it wasn’t a dirty hit” stuff…

If you want to argue that it is smart hockey to take out the team’s top scorer and biggest threat to your team, fine. I can understand THAT!

But trying to convince people in the know that what that sack-of-crap Ruutu did to Kovy was anything BUT a deliberate attempt to take him out is simply insulting everyone’s intelligence!

By Alan

January 31, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

You guys can disagree with me if you want (ah, the power of opinions), but honestly, I thought the in-game justice was served when he got his a* kicked by McCarthy. And the wuss turtled on it, too. He can dish out the bad hits, but can’t seem to take a dose of his own medicine.

All I’m getting at is that Atlanta should put it behind them (since McCarthy dished out some punishment) and just concentrate on winning. What do we want more - a playoff berth, or to ‘get Ruutu?’

By TheCousin

January 31, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

Kozzie13- I know that there’s no such thing, but up until last night there was no fighting penalty for not fighting but the refs decided to make up a call there just to punish Ruutu and asking for the refs to give McCarthy a major for fighting when two players didn’t fight seemed like it would upset the Atlanta fans.

DWTOO- When you lead with your shoulder and the player slithers away and you hit knees it’s not a cheap shot. There was no leading with the elbow at all, where does that claim keep coming from? Try watching the play again without your blinders on and tell me what you see.

By Chase

January 31, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this

Ruutu’s hit was clean. Kovylchuk tried to get out of the way and got hit in the knee…poor baby! Then that asshat attacked Ruutu.

Oh well, I wouldn’t expect yinz to know anything…it’s not like Atlanta’s a hockey town.

Good luck in the playoffs. Hahahahaha!

By R. Stroz

January 31, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

How can you tell a Pittsburgh fan is receiving government assistance checks?

When they have nothing better to do all day but go on another teams blog because they can’t get a job due to their stupidity.

By The Other Bob

January 31, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

Cousin and the rest of you tools…he did NOT lead with his shoulder…if you look at it he has his elbow out like a chicken wing you moron!

ACTUALLY LOOK AT IT!!!

Bunch of dumb-arses!

By Russ

January 31, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

I would agree the hit on Kovy wasn’t that late. He had just chipped the puck into the zone, and then tried to avoid the oncoming check. However, to say that Rutuu didn’t lead with the knee when the replay clearly shows Kovy sidestepping him and Rutuu throwing out the knee so he doesn’t completely whiff makes you either stupid or blind.

By Buzilla Baby Blues

January 31, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

If Rick Nash gets traded to P** they can roll out the line of Crosby Staal and Nash.

By beau vighn

January 31, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

Rawhide, where did I say it was not a dirty hit. I am as loyal a Thrasher fan as their is , as well as a season ticket holder. I just get sick of seeing other teams run at kovy and us not retaliating. It has gone on for quite a while. Can you image years ago what would have happened if someone did this to Jagr, or Gretzky. That’s all Im saying. We do not have a guy that puts fear in the hearts of the opponent that will protect our franchise.

By Malkin

January 31, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

To all you ATL “haters”…not that I condone senseless NHL goonery (like what happens in PHL) but anyone that PLAYS hockey knows that Rutuu was finishing his check BEFORE the whistle. Kovy saw him full on and SLID left to AVOID the check as Rutuu SLID right to make sure the check was delivered. Not that this matters but don’t you get sick of Kovy trying to show up the other team…very, very BUSH LEAGUE. He did it last night to the Pens bench and who can ever forget last year when he skated over to the penalty box to point his finger in Crosby’s face! Classless. Come to think of it ATL should trade Kovy to PHL. He would be right at home in that organization.

By TheCousin

January 31, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

TheOtherBob- I’ll let you believe what you want with the elbow thing but he never touched him with his elbow anyway so what does that matter.

This is a knee to knee hit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moiSDtV0jp8 not Ruutu’s missed check on Kovy.

R.Stroz- You haven’t made a single intelligent statement here so I’m just gonna let you know that I’m 32, retired already and living happily

Russ- The knee never moves. He goes in a straight line towards Kovy. Anyone who sees anything different is just trying to justify their opinion with halucinations.

By gwhst7

January 31, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this

If Malkin had delivered the hit, we not be having this discussion. This is more about the players involved than it is about any wrong that Ruutu may done.

I’m sure the league will review and likely suspend Ruutu but it won’t be because it was a dirty play.

By Rawhide

January 31, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

beau - Sorry for the confusion….I meant simply to welcome you…you were not meant to be included with the rest of the rant.

As for the topic at hand, I’ve stated my mind…others are welcome to their opinions, of course.

We’ll see what the league has to say….

By R. Stroz

January 31, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

TheCousin - I’m glad your mother allowed you to retire in her basement.

By TheCousin

January 31, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

Oh I get it, you’re insinuating that I’m poor and have retired to live with my mother. How very clever of you. I’ll just take my royalty checks to the bank and enjoy a day out with my wife and kids.

Seriously can you please try to come up with one comment on the issue at hand rather than just throw out 3rd grade insults and challenge people to fights?

The hit was clean, the result unfortunate, and the punishments unjust.

By Russ

January 31, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

Hopefully, Rutuu gets traded to Ottawa and gets into a carpool with Heatley.

By Steve

January 31, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

According to XM NHL channel, ALL of them agree that Ruttu was not trying to do a knee on knee check and none of them think he should be suspended.

By R. Stroz

January 31, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this

The Cousin - No, I’m laughing at your ignorant, myopic comments. See, right now, your children should be in school and your wife has left you by yourself, so you have nothing better to do with your time than annoy people.

By the way, would you like to compare investment portfolios?

If you really knew what you were doing with your patented product, you would have formed your own company instead of farming your product out for a royalty check.

By timmythebrave

January 31, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

The Cousin, if you had only made the kick…That’s worth 3 points right…He didn’t take a cheap shot like Pittsburgh didn’t kick at the puck on the first goal. You can say it was a clean hit but the only person you are fooling is yourself. He got thrown out of the game because he went after a star player. The same would happen if anyone sent a player “known” for cheap hits after Crosby. If they didn’t people would do it every game. We lose scrub, you lose star. I was at the game. I saw what I saw. The Gorin’s-Great Wrap beer alley has to be the best pregame events ever!! Go Thrashers!!

By Sam

January 31, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

I just watched the video of the hit on another link. The announcers there thought the hit was dirty. Just like on this blog, everyone has their own opinion. These announcers said it followed the whistle. I agree. Russ, funny comment. Thanks.

By Jsmooth

January 31, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

I’m not sure if Jerko was going after Kovy with an intent to harm or not, but even if it wasn’t a dirty cheapshot, why take a run at a guy who is simply chipping the puck in from a stationary position? One of the problems with hockey is that no-talent a*-heads like Ruutu think it’s their sole job to aggravate and instigate by making dumb, passion-fueled decisions rather than use sound judgment and hockey IQ when playing the game.

Now I’ll be the first to admit that Kovy has moments where he loses his cool and makes a silly, chippy play or tries to show up the other team with some of his, ahem, gamesmanship tactics. But I don’t remember Kovy ever making a run at a guy in a prone position in a game against Pittsburgh. So unless Jerko is good friends with Michael Roszival, I’m not sure what he was thinking.

The refs may have gotten carried away with the 5 min fighting penalty on Ruutu but I think they were simply sending a message that such hits would not be tolerated, especially when it involves a team’s best player. Stevie Mac was only doing what is allowed within the guidelines of the unwritten “code” of hockey so I’m surprised he even got a 10 min misconduct. I thought the refs should have given Mac 2 mins for roughing and Jerko 5 mins for kneeing and a game misconduct. You can’t give Mac an instigator minor as he was only responding to another player’s instigative behavior.

But alas, I may not be totally impartial in this argument as a rabid Thrashers fans. However, I actually like the Pens despite the fact Jerko the Cheapshot Artist plays on their team.

BBB & Rone — good chatting with you before the game last night in front of Gorin’s. I’m sure we’ll see you again soon. Next BL is on me boys!

By Dave

January 31, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

Granted I am a biased Pens fan, but I’ve seen a lot of dirtier hits not called. Was it a completly clean hit, probably not, was it an extremely dirty hit, no. Off point, but does anyone know the NHL’s official explanation of the no-goal call for Nathan Smith. It looked to me that he positioned his skate to deflect the puck to his stick, missed with the stick and then the puck went in. I didn’t see the so-called “intentional kicking motion”. I’ll listen to a good explantion though.

By Buzilla Baby Blues

January 31, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this

RETIREMENT PLANNING FOR 2008-

If you had purchased $1000.00 of Nortel stock one year ago, it would now be worth $49.00.

With Enron, you would have had $16.50 left of the original $1000.00. With WorldCom, you would have had less than $5.00 left.

If you had purchased $1000 of Delta Air Lines stock you would have $49.00 left.

But, if you had purchased $1,000.00 worth of beer one year ago, drank all the beer, then turned in the cans for the aluminum recycling REFUND, You would have had $214.00.

Based on the above, the best current investment advice is to drink heavily and recycle.

By Alan

January 31, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

Look, Pens fans. You all can believe what you want, like Kovalchuk deserved it for taunting (Showboating isn’t taunting), or Kovalchuk was injured because he tried to avoid the check (He and Ruutu both would have been worse off had Kovalchuk not tried to evade). And we can believe what we want. The point is, no one here is changing anyone’s mind. It’s in the hands of Colin Campbell now.

By timmythebrave

January 31, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

Dave, it was a definite kick to me. I started yelling that it was a kick as soon as he got the goal. That being said I’ve seen those kind of goals stand and didn’t think they would overturn it.

By TheCousin

January 31, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this

R.Stroz- Once again zero comments about the topic of hockey. Try taking one more stab at an intelligent comment and we’ll see what you can come up with.

timmythebrave- Since the kick goal should have counted I’m guessing you agree with me on this whole issue. Turning your foot to deflect the puck is not a kicking motion and the refs screwed that one up too. You’re exactly right, he got thrown out for hitting a star player. Not for doing anything wrong but just for hitting someone that the league deems untouchable.

Sam- If you really think it happened after the whistle you need to watch that play a couple more times cuz you’re out of your mind. The exact order is Ruutu check, offsides whistle, McCarthy attack, Ruutu penalties.

Jsmooth- Why take a run at a player? Because it’s called hockey and hitting people who are playing the puck is part of the game. When McCarthy drops the gloves and throws punches it leaves the realm of roughing and becomes fighting. Since Ruutu didn’t drop the gloves he shouldn’t have gotten anything there. And instigating is when a player (McCarthy) starts a fight with a player (Ruutu) for no reason. And no just because Ruutu checked your guy doesn’t count as a reason. Ruutu laying a hit on Kovy isn’t instigating because it’s just a hit, nothing more. Also the refs shouldn’t issue penalties based on the unwritten code of the players. The code is there to determine what the players do, not what the refs call. The code does say that McCarthy should get retribution, but the rules say that McCarthy should have gotten the misconduct.

By R. Stroz

January 31, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this

Buzilla Baby Blues - If you had shorted the high yield/sub-prime market, you could buy a beer company.

By DWTOO

January 31, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

Well Cousin, I looked at the clip one more time and I still the elbow coming up right before Ruutu gets to Kovy. Good thing he missed.

Again, especially if you’re independently wealthy, why are living here and haven’t move back to the ‘burgh?

To the regular posters/readers - this guy reminds me of Pucks’ N Snot with a bit more class.

By R. Stroz

January 31, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

The Cousin - Is that all you have?

No answers concerning your business acumen?

No answers as to the fact your not spending the day with the wife and kids?

No comments on your investment portfolio?

We all know you don’t know $hit about hockey; so, I was hoping I could find a subject where you had a grain of intelligence or knowledge.

By TheCousin

January 31, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

DWTOO- I haven’t moved back to Pittsburgh because my wife and much of her family lives here while most of my family moved out of state quite a while ago. With our kids in school here as well, I don’t find any strong reason pulling me back to Pittsburgh.

R.Stroz- I really don’t really feel like discussing my investment portfolio with someone like you while on a HOCKEY site. It’s funny that you say I don’t know anything about the game of hockey when you still haven’t made a single comment on the subject. I guess maybe if you could bring up something regarding the game that might help your case. Here’s a pop quiz: What’s icing? What’s a faceoff? What is a puck? I figure I’ll give you some easy ones since the only thing I can tell that you know about hockey from your comments is how to spell it.

By R. Stroz

January 31, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this

The Cousin - Maybe you should try learning a few hockey penalties:

What’s kneeing?

What’s elbowing?

You don’t seem to know either as you have proven all day.

What is Chris Simon stomping on Ruutu’s leg? A miss, he should have stomped his nads, so Ruutu can’t procreate.

By PJ

January 31, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

ToF thanks for posting the clip first.

By PJ

January 31, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

Jeff Hamilton with the Canes’ placed on waivers….anybody care?

By TheCousin

January 31, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

R.Stroz- Based on the events of last night, Kneeing: a missed check that results in an unfortunate injury

Elbowing: something that didn’t happen in the events of last night’s game so why keep bringing it up.

Fighting: one player assaulting another player with no intent other than to exact revenge and cause injury. Penalty shall be issued to the player that was assaulted.

By Rawhide

January 31, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this

Dave - The explaination that I got was that Toronto felt it was indeed a kicking motion that caused the puck to go into the goal.

The reason they looked so long at the replay was that they were trying to see if it touched his stick after coming off the skate as he did try to take a stab at it.

I’ve seen that call go both ways…

By Rawhide

January 31, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

Kovy out for the Buffalo and Washington game…MRI tests not in yet.

Ruutu should be suspended 2 games for every one Kovy misses.

By timmythebrave

January 31, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

Does that goal go in if he doesn’t “kick it”? Definitely not! Was it an “obvious” kicking motion? I guess that is up to opinion and that is why I have seen it called both ways. Sometimes they want to see a kick like a soccer shot before they will overturn a call and sometimes just need to know that you altered your feet in a way to deflect it in the goal. That’s why I said it was kicking to me.

By Pitts

January 31, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this

Ha-Ha — you’re funny! “aiming for his knee”, “Steve-O put you on your butt faster than you could blink”! Too funny. Did you actually watch the game?

By TheCousin

January 31, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

RawHide- Suspensions shouldn’t be based on the injury, they should be based on the act and an unintentional knee does not deserve a suspension. Judging based on the injury is the problem in the NHL and needs to be stopped. A knee is a knee, a slash is a slash, and a check is a check. Just because someone gets hurt on one and not another doesn’t mean the act was any worse. This hit wasn’t even that bad, just the result. By your reasoning, Ranger should be suspended right now because his slash that caused Crosby to go into the boards is keeping him out of the lineup. Even Atlanta officials said it is all precautionary and he has no swelling and is walking without a limp.

Or maybe it’s just karma getting Kovy back for the dirty hit he put on Rosival.

By timmythebrave

January 31, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

I understand sitting him for one game but if he is not really injured we need him to play against washington. One game could be the difference in 3rd place in the east and not going to the playoffs

By PJ

January 31, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

If we get to 100 Posts Rawhide buys us all a beer…….right Rawhide?

By R. Stroz

January 31, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this

The Cousin - You should really watch the video on youtube a few more times in slow motion for the following three items.

1) Ruutu is moving his knee toward Kovalchuk as Kovalchuk is moving away.

2) Ruutu tried to hit Kovalchuk with his elbow and missed.

3) Ruutu was turned toward McCarthy when McCarthy arrived. In words even you can understand, McCarthy didn’t hit Ruutu from behind, they were face to face when McCarthy ran into Ruutu. Ruutu didn’t fight back because he was bent over the Thrashers bench within one second of McCarthy’s arrival.

By Mean Gene

January 31, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this

Ruutu finished his check, Kovalchuk tried to get out of the way, awkward hit, stuff happens. Hopefully Kovalchuk’s OK. The hit wasn’t after the whistle, Ruutu didn’t go after the knee, and he shouldn’t have gotten a penalty as he let McCarthy flail away ineffectively for a few seconds before going on his way.

Saying that Ruutu’s check was a “deliberate attempt to hurt Ilya” is silly and hysterical, neither of which is an admirable attribute in a hockey blog (or hockey blog commenters). Suck it up, buttercup.

By R. Stroz

January 31, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

The Cousin - You are correct on one point, the whistle had not blown on the delayed offside before the hit on Kovy.

By timmythebrave

January 31, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

Mccarthy’s beating the crap out of that jerk was “unintentional” also and didn’t deserve a penalty. It was all a big accident

By Rawhide

January 31, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

TheCousin - the two incidents are not comparable. Rosival didn’t miss any games…I thought the game suspension was justified. Last night Kovy was attack with intent to injure. People can look through their black and gold color glasses and disagree if they want…but I’m quite sure when the league has their say it will confirm their belief that indeed it was.

Pitts - If your auditioning for Blog Idiot…I’m sorry but we have a Red Wings fan from Livonia, Michigan that currently fills that position and we are not currently taking applications. But thank you anyway…

Your welcome to leave your resume filled out in crayon with my secretary, Trixie.

By R. Stroz

January 31, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

If everyone would really like to know what started the events in motion, here they are:

1) After Kovy’s goal, he celebrated in front of Pittsburgh’s bench.

2) As a result, Ruutu came flying at Kovy in front of the Thrashers bench.

The hit was intentional and probably ordered for Kovy’s goal celebration. If the league looks at all the events, Ruutu and the coach are both suspended and fined.

This is the kind of crap that resulted in the Bertuzzi incident which Bertuzzi is currently on trial for.

By TheCousin

January 31, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

R.Stroz- 1. Ruutu is moving his whole body towards Kovy when he hits him, not just his knee because he’s trying to check him and Kovy starts moving away.

1. Ruutu’s elbow hits at the same level as the top of the boards when he finishes his check. That’s not what going for an elbow looks like.

2. Ruutu turned around and McCarthy had already started punching. Rutuu got turned around and was pushed into the Atlanta bench where McCarthy continued to throw punches. You need to drop your gloves or throw a punch to be in a fight. Getting attacked by a thug like McCarthy doesn’t count. Just because McCarthy caught him off guard doesn’t mean Ruutu was involved in the fight.

RawHide- You’re making my point for me. Injury has nothing to do with the penalty. Kovy leaving his feet to hit an unaware player with his back turned face first into the boards is unacceptable no matter what. Ruutu going for a check and missing is totally different. And try taking off your hometown glasses and you’ll realize that there should be no suspension. Kovy went out of his way to take a cheap shot at Rosival and deserved to be punished, Ruutu clipped Kovy’s knee while trying to make a clean check and does not deserve anything more than what he’s already gotten. And if you’re talking about an attack with intent to injure, look no further than McCarthy.

If the league does anything it will not be to justify the call that was made, it will be to appease the management in Atlanta and protect a star player. If Ruutu hits McCarthy like that there’s no calls either way and we’re not having any of these discussions.

By Rawhide

January 31, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

PJ - Yes…beers all around, even for Cousin…I buy and we all will gather at your house Saturday night to watch the game!

TheCousin - I’ll give you some props here…you did not just pop in here, drop your blog bomb and then run away like some of the Nancys that do so from time to time. You stuck around and defended your comments to a hostile crowd.

This is all good stuff really, even though you and I will simply have to agree to disagree on the context.

When the league decides on punishment for Ruutu, I’m hoping you will chime in with your observation.

By gwhst7

January 31, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this

Dan Tolensky’s take from hockeybuzz.com “Kovalchuk hurt on a knee-on-knee hit by Ruutu. He tried to return but left the game. At first it looked like a cheap shot but then on the replay you could see that Ruutu wasn’t going for the knee – the injury occurred when Kovalchuk tried to avoid the check”

By Trixie (Rawhide's secretary)

January 31, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this

Mr. Rawhide - I have Pitts’ application for Blog Idiot. As he seems to have all the qualifications for the job I will simply place it on file for future review.

I must say the “X” he placed on the signature line is far more ledgible then Mr. Pucks-N-Snot’s.

By TheCousin

January 31, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

RawHide- Thanks for the props. I never like the people who hit a blog once with a “your team sucks” kind of comment and then bail so I try to support myself whenever I have the time. Also going to school in Philly as a Pittsburgh kid helped me learn how to withstand a little hostility.

I guess we’ll just agree to disagree on the events that transpired and see what happens from the league. In my opinion I probably see 1-2 games coming and guess I wouldn’t complain too much about that, but much more than that I think would just be based on the injury and the fact that it was Kovy.

By R. Stroz

January 31, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

The Cousin - Once again your wrong. You are one of those people who loves to take a moment and use it out of context.

Ruutu is coming in leading with his flared elbow and extended right knee. Ruutu drops his elbow after he passes Kovy. So, when Ruutu reaches the Thrashers bench, his elbow is board high. If you really want judge the height of Ruutu’s elbow, look at the view behind the Thrashers bench.

As far as McCarthy, if you watch the video closely, McCarthy actually waited until Ruutu turned before taking off full speed after him. Ruutu had his left elbow up to protect himself and was beginning to draw back with his right before McCarthy arrives. Once Ruutu’s left elbow was up, McCarthy started throwing down on Ruutu.

Now watch the video several times, swallow your pride, realize you’re wrong, and go play with your children.

By PJ

January 31, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

Sorry Rawhide No Can Do. Operation big screen is still in effect but don’t expect to see results until college football season starts again. Until then, I keep moving the recliner further and further away from the TV and so far he hasn’t figured it out. So, we need another location, I’ll bring the dip!

Go Thrashers!!

By Waffleboy

January 31, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

The Cousin- I’ve looked at the replay many times, and I am a loyal and biased Thrashers’ fan. The replay from mid-ice shows that Ruutu is clearly leading with the knee and that even if Kovalchuk had not move his upper body, he would have taken a direct knee-on-knee hit. Instead it hit the side of his knee and hyperextended it. The hit was dirty and a suspension should be forthcoming, though I’ll be surprised if it did. As to retaliation, if the league suspends Ruutu, the matter is dropped. If not, DW has to take matters into his own hands, which may necessitate the calling up of Desbiens or Valabik. We don’t have anyone on this roster that can dance with Laraque. But we have to let other teams know that if you take a run at Kovy, you will pay a severe price.

By Rawhide

January 31, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

PJ - I’ll bring the dip!…his mother is going to let him leave Livonia, Michigan alone?

By TheCousin

January 31, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this

R.Stroz- Obviously I can’t help you with the fact that you’re seeing things in the video that just aren’t there so I’ll just stop trying. And speaking of taking a moment out of context, Ruutu raises his arms half a second before a charging McCarthy starts punching and you think he was drawing back his arm to throw a punch?

If he would’ve been making a run at Kovy he would have just hit him in the face and been done with it. His knee stays in exactly the same position the whole time and his elbow flares because he’s preparing to make a check. You don’t keep your arms tucked into your body when you make a hit.

So take another look at the video, admit you’re wrong, and go do whatever it is you do all day.

Waffleboy- Your first sentence ruined everything else for you. Being a loyal and biased Thrashers fan does not bode well when trying to objectively evaluate the play.

By Hockeyfan

January 31, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

Anyone else notice that after Kovy went down the Pens were all skating up to Thorburn (and occasionally Boults) to make sure they knew that Ruutu was being an asshat on his own and working to prevent further retaliation?

I agree with bringing up Boris to “barely hit.. without changing direction… just make a hit” on Ruutu or Crosby on March 2.

By Waffleboy

January 31, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

The Cousin- My first sentence was to tell you where I was coming from. I see you neatly avoided the rest of my comments. The rule for kneeing clearly states that you have to be “leading with the knee” not necessarily extending it out. Ruutu is clearly doing that. As well, a major penalty is not necessarily “intent to injure” that would be a match penalty. Here’s the rules:

“Rule 50 - Kneeing

50.1 Kneeing - Kneeing is the act of a player or goalkeeper leading with his knee and in some cases extending his leg outwards to make contact with his opponent.

50.2 Minor Penalty - The Referee, at his discretion, may assess a minor penalty, based on the severity of the infraction, to a player or goalkeeper guilty of kneeing an opponent.

50.3 Major Penalty - The Referee, at his discretion, may assess a major penalty, based on the severity of the infraction, to a player or goalkeeper guilty of kneeing an opponent (see 50.5).

50.4 Match Penalty — The Referee, at his discretion, may assess a match penalty if, in his judgment, the player or goalkeeper attempted to or deliberately injured his opponent by kneeing.

50.5 Game Misconduct Penalty - When a player or goalkeeper has been assessed a major penalty for kneeing he shall also be assessed a Game Misconduct.

50.6 Fines and Suspensions - There are no specified fines or suspensions for kneeing, however, supplementary discipline can be applied by the Commissioner at his discretion (refer to Rule 29).”

By Tony C.

January 31, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

Dude he had his elbow up-as far as Colin Campbell is concerned, that is what’s going to cost Ruutu some pay.

The fact that the knee-on-knee happened as well cements it.

Honestly, looking at it again, if the elbow isn’t up, I might not suspend him-#17’s movement did make the knee hit more soundly than it may have. Granted he’s moving because he’s ducking the elbow, I just figure Campbell might let it slide-being objective and all-and you guys know I’m way biased when it comes to #17.

GO BLUE !!!

P.S. RH: congrats on the # of posts!

By timmythebrave

January 31, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

Thecousin…you remind me of people who think that the pitcher “accidently” hits the guy that just hit a homerun off of him. I mean he only missed the inside corner by a couple of inches. The ball just slipped. I’m done talking about it. It was a cheap shot and deserves a small suspension. Go Thrashers!

By Thrashman

January 31, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

http://deadspin.com/350990/free-jarkko We made Deadspin. Their hockey writer obviously does not know a thing about checks.

Simple fact - it was not a clean hit. Rutuu reached for Kovy who was trying to avoid a check. Jarko tried to elbow him as well. He was facing McCarthy and threw a couple of punches and got beaten down.

To say that this was Kovy’s fault shows the ineptitude of some people. They also claimed that Kovy should have been suspended more for the hit on Roszival - Bull Crap. One game was enough. Jarko needs minimum one game possibly 2.

By TheCousin

January 31, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

Waffleboy- Even if you assume he was leading with the knee (which is still very tough to call but I’ll go with you here) your next point is right and helps prove my point. He got called for a major penalty, not a match penalty and was accessed a game misconduct per rule 50.5. A major penalty is when there is no intent to injure which means there should be no suspensions coming his way. A match penalty would have been issued if there was intent to injure and would weigh more heavily on the case for suspension. Since it was determined on the ice that there was no intent to injure, I believe that helps Ruutu’s case to avoid suspension.

Now granted they can issue suspensions without a match penalty and may still do so in this instance, no intent to injure being called on the ice only helps the case for Ruutu.

By TheCousin

January 31, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

timmythbrave- I don’t think he accidentally hit him, I think he accidentally hit him in the knee. He was definitely going for a hit on Kovy but due to Kovy sliding out of the way he caught his knee rather than the body.

Thrashman- You’re right, Ruutu went to check Kovy and Kovy dodged the check. The hit on the knee is unfortunate. And please don’t try to make yourself look stupid, nowhere in any video does Ruutu throw a couple punches and get beat down. He turns around and gets attacked by an obviously angry and out of control thug. It’s not Kovy’s fault, but it’s not Ruutu’s either. It was just a series of unfortunate events that led to Kovy getting hurt. And Kovy’s hit on Rosival was much worse than this. Headhunting a guy who’s facing the boards should not be allowed in any league.

By Thrashman

January 31, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

TheCousin - You have made yourself look like the idiot all day on here. Rutuu tried to throw a couple of punches but was already getting a face full from McCarthy. Watch the tape again. Although that won’t help you as you have firmly entrenched yourself with what you want to see.

McCarthy is no thug. You show your lack of knowledge with stupid comments like that. McCarthy was protecting the star player. None of the Pittsburgh guys would have done that for Crosby? By the way he is up there with Jagr for amount of time spent whining on the ice.

By R. Stroz

January 31, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

The Cousin - Let’s review your revisionist history concerning McCarthy and Ruutu:

Yeah Ruutu got knocked on his butt real fast but that’s because McCarthy blindly attacked him and then punched him in the back of the head about 6 times.

Ruutu turned around and McCarthy had already started punching. Rutuu got turned around and was pushed into the Atlanta bench where McCarthy continued to throw punches.

Ruutu raises his arms half a second before a charging McCarthy starts punching and you think he was drawing back his arm to throw a punch?

See once again you’re not looking at the whole picture. Believe it or not, Ruutu has two arms. The left arm is up to block a punch and the right arm is lowered ready to start an upper cut. Since you were probably never a goldern gloves boxer, you are too ignorant to discern this posturing.

Let’s review your revisionist history concerning Kovalchuk and Ruutu:

After watching the replay a couple more times, his elbow is at board level and the puck leaves Kovy’s stick about 1 second before the hit in slow motion so even less in real time.

Ruutu’s elbow hits at the same level as the top of the boards when he finishes his check. That’s not what going for an elbow looks like.

his elbow flares because he’s preparing to make a check.

The Cousin - so how many times did you contradict yourself in the above quotes? You can’t admit the truth. You are wrong, always wrong.

On second thought, don’t go play with your children, they deserve a parent that can tell the truth.

Whenever you want to man up to this quote, And sure I’d love to step outside and see who drops first, just let me know, you pathetic cretin. I’ll be at the game tomorrow.

By Thrashman

January 31, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

TheCousin - Anyone who has to tell everyone about how much money he has or how he got to retire early is more than likely full of it. I believe about 0% of what you say.

By diceros

January 31, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

While I admire the fact that there are still a couple dozen or so hockey fans left in Atlanta, your interpretations of Ruutu’s hit are comical. He’s going in for a perfectly legal hit against the bench boards, Kovalchuk’s sidestepping, Ruutu sees that unless he braces himself by hitting his lower body against the boards first, his upper body is going to go flying into the Thrashers’ bench. So of course, he’s leading with his front leg as he tries to finish the check. Kovalchuk’s leg just happened to be in the way because he didn’t completely sidestep Ruutu’s path. It wasn’t dirty. It was unfortunate. Give me a break. And who knew Sandy McCarthy was still around. I thought that was him pumping gas at a local station…

By Pittsburgh Fan

January 31, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

Would someone put this S.O.B. The Cousin out of his misery before everyone in Atlanta thinks we are just like Philly fans.

By timmythebrave

January 31, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

TheCousin, You’re right it was all a big “accident”. He wasn’t going for a cheap shot. Right. Who are you trying to convince? What would you expect to happen if the same thing happened to Crosby? Would you expect one of his team mates to go after the player that did that? (When I lead with my knee I expect it to hurt someone but maybe when he leads with his knee it surprisingly hurts someone) You think it was an accident. I get it. I don’t think it was an accident at all. You don’t need to convince me that it was an accident because you can’t. I was 6 rows up from where it happened. I know what I saw

By Hilary Clinton

January 31, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

I know I can count on the Cousin to vote for me on Tuesday.

By timmythebrave

January 31, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

pittsburg fan, most of the pittsburgh people at the game were really cool. They enjoyed drinking the $8 giant beer and could take and give some good natured joking around. A good time was had by all. We realize thecousin wasn’t at the game and just can’t get over 1 loss to the Thrashers and the fact that he is unemployed(retired).

By Pittsburgh Fan

January 31, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this

timmythebrave-Despite losing, the Atlanta fans were pretty cool. Hell even we know Ruutu is a cheap shot artist. I expect a several game suspension. If that had happened to Crosby by any Thrasher goon, everyone in Canada would be calling for a life time suspension.

By Jsmooth

January 31, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

I’ve watched the real speed video replay about a dozen times and every time I see Dirttuu’s right elbow extend outward in response to a moving Kovalchuk who is adeptly sliding away to avoid the would-be check. It should be rather obvious to anyone watching (even in real speed) that Jerkko was aiming to cheapshot Kovy by either elbowing him or flipping him over his own bench boards while in a prone position.

While I do not think the knee on knee was extended (nor intentional), he certainly didn’t angle his shoulder towards Kovalchuk like a player normally does when checking someone into the glass. And the fact that he propelled himself over the boards in doing so shows me his angle of attack was incorrect. Had he led with his shoulder, he wouldn’t have had as much forward momentum when crashing into the boards chest first.

Verdict: two game suspension for being a general nuisance and basic disgrace to the game of hockey! Anyone who doesn’t understand his penchant for cheap-shotting and taking runs at better players doesn’t pay very close attention to the game of hockey.

By DWTOO

January 31, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

OK guys let’s put this to rest. To the Atlanta fans, and I’m one of them, it appears cheap. I think it was cheap and Ruutu deserved to have his butt kicked.

To the Pitt guys it was a legit check. They’re entitled to their opinion. They’re sticking up for their guy as we stick up for ours on a questionable hit. Only Ruutu truly knows for sure what his intentions were and we’ll all have to live with his quotes in the paper.

Hey Cousin - come out and watch a few more Thrasher games and offer some more comments. We don’t agree on this, but, post on some more varied topics.

By Jsmooth

January 31, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

Finally, a voice of reason from the Pittsburgh side of the fence! Thanks to Pittsburgh Fan for chiming in with his rational perspective…that is if you are truly a Penguins fan and not just another blogger posing as such.

If Boults or Thorburn ever did that to Cindy Crosby, I for one would fully expect Campbell to come down hard on him and suspend for 3-5 games (because it’s Crosby), but since the NHL doesn’t favor Kovy nearly as much, I expect 2-3 games for his bone-headed petulance.

And Stevie Mac should get to play the next 10 games straight based on how he came to Kovy’s defense. That’s the kind of guy I want playing behind me on the blueline!

Lastly, kudos to Klee for sucking it up and playing some physical, aggressive hockey despite the condition of his black & blue mug.

By Waffleboy

January 31, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

Diceros-clearly you’re not familiar with the rules, because what you said is a penalty. If he leads with the knee, that’s kneeing! Whether, he’s protecting himself(?) as you claim or not. How does one protect oneself by leading with their leg? The stupidest part about any kneeing play is that the instigator is putting himself at great risk of harm as well. I’m not sure what else to expect out of Pittsburgh fans who still, to this day, defend Ulf Samuellson’s hit on Cam Neely.

By TheCousin

January 31, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

To all-

Well since Thrashman pretty much figured it out, I’ll be taking my leave now. It’s been fun messing with you guys all day. Honestly, I’m just a really bored kid from Wisconsin that has nothing better to do on a day home sick from school than play video games and mess around online. I know you’ll all claim I’m lying about this now too but oh well, I guess that’s just how it goes. It’s been fun seeing how everyone trashes each other regardless of what anyone actually says in their posts. This was a fun experiment for one hell of a boring day. You Thrasher fans sure are a persistent bunch.

By R. Stroz

January 31, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this

What do you know, just a cheese head.

Hey Cuz - Next time you have a day off go on the Deadwings blog and p** off an idiot named Pucks n Snot. Tell him the economy sucks in Detroit and the Deadwings will be moving to Las Vegas.

By Brett

January 31, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this

“aiming for his knee”… come on. No fan wants to see any player get hurt but maybe it was just karma considering kovy’s celebration after his goal. To say Rutuu’s hit was intentional is just asinine.

By Susie

January 31, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this

I had told my son and daughter during the game that Slater would get his first goal tonight, I just felt it. I was so happy for him, he is my daughter’s favorite player. After he scored I then told my children that we would win the lottery! I hope it works! Go Thrashers

By Philaphornia

January 31, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this

People really think this hit was dirty? How many of the… Atlanta “fans” think it actually was dirty? Better yet, how many are just p** that their star player got injured on a routine check? If Kovalchuk had just taken the hit (he’s a big guy, remember) instead of trying to turtle out of the way, he would be fine. But he moved, Rutuu continued his path and finished his check. His knee never moved. KOVALCHUCKS KNEE MOVED! As far as retaliation goes, send whoever you want at Rutuu, I don’t know if you incredibly informed Nascar hicks know this but the Penguins have this guy named Georges Laraque who regularly skates with Rutuu. Here’s another question, how many people has Mr. Laraque sent to the hospital for facial reconstructive surgery after fighting him? One more question ladies, why is your arena CONSISTENTLY empty. Maybe you should get an education and a job that would allow you to buy a ticket to a game, Jethro.

xxxxxx@yahoo.com

By Lew318

January 31, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this

Folks, all the guessing in the world and we will never know if it was intentional or if Kovi’s movement prior to the hit caused some of the problem. Regardless, the league will review the play and a decision will be made. Of course the League’s decision may or may not influence your opinions!

What we do know is this. The best thing the Thrashers can do to retaliate is to beat Pitts whenever they play them next (not sure if they have anymore games together this season). In fact, then Thrash need to continue to focus on winning. Let’s hope some good comes out of the injury to Kovi by FORCING THIS TEAM TO DIG DOWN AND PLAY WELL AND WIN WITHOUT HIM.

The fact is, they will have too for the next two games..

By Dave

January 31, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this

JSmooth: you mention that if the hit were against Crosby the hitter would be suspended for several games; I refer you to last year when Derian Hatcher of the Flyers knocked Crosby’s tooth out with a blatent high stick (intentional or not its still a major penalty) and was not penalized or suspended. Please review all aspects of your comments before making unwarranted accusations.

By jimmy

January 31, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this

The only thing dirty about the hit was the streak on Kovy’s undies when he saw Ruutu coming. Kovy was trying to hide from the hit and ended up getting himself hurt. Sometimes you are better off just taking the hit. This is no different that someone who sees a big hit coming, turns and ends up going face first into the boards. Just take the hit like a man.

By TR

January 31, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this

As a Thrasher fan, I can say this:

At least we Thrasher fans didn’t have to suffer through watching Cindy Crosby start DIVING all over the ICE and then WHINING to the refs for a no-call last night! Jeez-O-Weez you Pittsburgh FANS are some EMOTIONAL, WHINY CRY-BABIES! Shut up and go worry about the Flyers you LOSERS!!!

By The Other Bob

January 31, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this

Philaphornia - Hey %$#@-for-brains…at least we “Jethros” aren’t stupid enough to leave our e-mail address on the blog, you moron!

Gee…I sure hope no one sees that and takes advantage of it.

By Alan

January 31, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this

If Ruutu had done that same hit to Crosby, you Pittsburgh fans would be frothing at the mouth and calling for all sorts of revenge, lengthy suspension, etc. But since the hitter was on your team and the target was on a different team, it’s somehow different. It’s one thing for Crosby to sprain his ankle, but it’s completely different if the incident was knee to knee.

And it really must suck if Kovalchuk’s goal celebrations got the Pens bench miffed. With that line of thinking, you’re just looking for an excuse to rough Kovalchuk up. If the Pens were unhappy about the celebration, maybe they should have scored more goals and had celebrations of their own. Don’t get mad, get even, and all that.

By Jethro

January 31, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this

Lets welcome our newest idiot to the blog: Philaphornia.

Philaphornia left his email address for us xxxxxxx@yahoo.com.

So lets give our new friend a grand welcome by signing him up for every email batch mail list possible.

The funny thing is Philaphornia can’t even consistently spell Ruutu’s name correctly.

So all us Atlanta hick NASCAR Jethros need to make our new friend feel important by inundating him with emails from every batch mail list possible.

By Michael

January 31, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this

Wow, seriously….

The penalties Ruutu got on the ice were more than he deserved, and he will get 0 games.

Kovi set himself up to be injured.

The Atlanta goon got away with murder.

Ruutu got a phanton fighting penalty, and a bogus kneeing call.

Ruutu’s penalties were assesed to him AFTER he was on the bench. The refs made up the calls, period. They’ll probably even hear from the NHL office for them.

Go after Ruutu the next game, whatever, lol.

Crosby went down the same way - and you all were probably chearing. He was slashed and went into the boards. Pens fans weren’t complaining for suspensions like your bogus fans but rather for the Pens to punish Paul Ranger (something they didn’t do).

If Atlanta’s players see fit to deal with Ruutu the next time they play (if Ruutu isn’t traded by then) so be it. But calling for suspensions is pure homerism and if you don’t see that you aren’t real hockey fans.

By TJ

January 31, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this

Perhaps Mr. Mulkin needs some hockey love and then we call things even.

By Rawhide

January 31, 2008 11:43 PM | Link to this

Susie - Slates scoring his first goal and Kovy snapping his scoreless streak should have been the story out of last night. Unfortunately….

Good call none-the-less. Hope the lottery thing works out for ya!

Brett - OK…think I see your point. So, was it “karma” that caused Cindy Crosby to incur an injury because of the way he dives on the ice looking for calls or whines and cries incessantly at the refs like a little girl?

Jeez…more with the whole stupid, southern, red neck stereotyped comments…would it be too much to ask that you guys, (or, “youz guyz”), put a little cerebral activity into the jab. Honestly, “Jethro”?…”NASCAR”?…blah, blah, blah. It’s so over-done and doesn’t really take a lot of creativity to do.

I mean, take Jimmy there. See, that was funny. One could argue against what he had to say, but at least it was original and readers got a chuckle out of it.

Oh, and HE didn’t leave his e-mail address hanging out there for the world to see. (I took care of that for you).

Michael - Now, what I see here is that last week Kovy got a one game suspension, (deservedly so), for taking a run at a Roszival…who continued to play after the hit. Kovy is out 2 games, (minimum), because Ruutu took a run at him…knee to knee and with his elbow out.

Again, as I’ve said before, reasonable minds can agree to disagree, but that’s the way I see it…with or without my blue-tinted glasses.

We’ll see what the league does.

Jethro - tisk, tisk

By Jethro

January 31, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this

Lets welcome our newest idiot to the blog: Philaphornia.

Philaphornia left his email address for us xxxxxxx@yahoo.com.

So lets give our new friend a grand welcome by signing him up for every email batch mail list possible.

The funny thing is Philaphornia can?t even consistently spell Ruutu?s name correctly.

So all us Atlanta hick NASCAR Jethros need to make our new friend feel important by inundating him with emails from every batch mail list possible.

By Jethro

January 31, 2008 11:55 PM | Link to this

You can’t slowe NASCAR Jethro down nun. I dun put dat der dummies email address in a wurd docerment and I’ll post it until he squeels mercy like a pig.

By Alan

January 31, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this

Kovi set himself up to be injured.

You obviously haven’t watched any of the replays. Had Kovalchuk not moved, he would have been hit on the kneecap. Simply put. That’s a worse injury. A season ending injury, to be certain, and a rather lengthy suspension for Ruutu aside from any injury he might have to deal with as well.

The Atlanta goon got away with murder.

Atlanta doesn’t have a goon. Unless you’re talking about McCarthy, who in the process of sticking up for his teammate, took 17 minutes of penalties (10min Misconduct, 5min Fighting, 2min Instigator). McCarthy is nowhere near a goon.

Ruutu got a phanton fighting penalty, and a bogus kneeing call.

I’ll agree, the fighting call on Ruutu was a little much. He didn’t even fight, he turtled like a little b***. But it was an obvious knee to knee, he led with the knee after Kovalchuk tried to evade the hit, and the intensity with which Ruutu tried to hit Kovy nearly sent Ruutu into the Atlanta bench.

But calling for suspensions is pure homerism and if you don’t see that you aren’t real hockey fans.

That’s where you’re wrong. People call for players to be suspended all the time. Even coaches and GMs call for players to be suspended - something Waddell avoided doing altogether. To claim Atlanta doesn’t have real hockey fans because they want a goon to serve time for knocking out a star player is disingenuous.

Kovalchuk hit Roszival from behind and served a game suspension, and Roszival missed a shift or two at the most. Kovalchuk is going to miss a good many shifts because of this. If Campbell intended to set a precedent when he suspended Kovalchuk, you can expect a Ruutu suspension. Campbell has been inconsistent all year, though, so who knows what Ruutu will get at this point.

By Jethro

February 1, 2008 12:03 AM | Link to this

Rawhide - Leave my post alone. I want to properly welcome our new friend.

By Jethro

February 1, 2008 12:11 AM | Link to this

Philaphornia’s email address is imafriggingidiot@yahoo.com.

By Scott

February 1, 2008 12:52 AM | Link to this

The hit was dirty. Anyone who has ever played hockey knows you don’t stick your knee out when you are finishing a check.

Lame excuse. The guys on XM 204 took him to task for it as well. They also took the NHL for task for letting a third string player injure one of the leagues marquee players and how the NHL just lets stuff like this slide all the time, like it’s a part of the game.

By Fred

February 1, 2008 7:19 AM | Link to this

OK folks, i haven’t had time to watch a whole lot of games this year due to working a lot more than I should be, but i have seen a couple games since the break and check the posts here pretty regularly, and i fell like i need to add my two cents on a few things. First off, on this hit that injured Kovie; it was clearly a case of Ruutu leading with his kneee. I watched it over and over again, and having played hockey for the first 15 years of my life, it looks pretty clear cut to me. Ruutu had time to change direction and avoid once Kovie moved. Should be 2-3 games IF there isn’t a serious injury. While i applaud McCarthy for his actions, that was far from an a$$ whooping. You can’t really consider it that if the other guy doesn’t fight back, but it was for sure the right thing to do. Which brings me to another point, and i will concede that i do not have an easy answer for this one, but WE DO NOT HAVE ANYONE WHO OTHER TEAMS ARE SCARED OF!!!!!!! NO ONE!!! With the new NHL, Goons are out for the most part. However, guys like Chara from Boston and Pronger from Anaheim are EXACTLY the prototype for what this team needs. Get on U tube and go watch some of their fights. I havent watched a lot of hockey this year, but i havent seen anyone fight Chara in a LONG time. When he fights, he DESTROYS people. THAT’S what we need. I don’t care who it is, when an opposing forward gets ready to chase a dump in into an offensive zone against one of these guys, you better believe they are thinking about the punishment they might take for getting there first. You will even see opposing forwards slowing up to let one of these guys get there first because they don’t want to get hit. Now onto Hoss…… I think at this point it’s pretty clear that he won’t be here next year. TRADE HIM ASAP! I’m not the GM, but i think we need a true #1 center (Sundin, Antropov, several others) or a top 2 d man (Campbell, to a lesser degree Marek Malik, others) as priority in return for a trade of a top 15 forward in his prime. I doubt there’s a chance, but what about Wade Redden? I really don’t feel that picks are going to help this team much with the current GM, he’s not much of a talent evaluator. With few exceptions, he’s only gotten the gimme picks right (Kovie, Heatley) and has even seriously screwed the pooch with some high first rounders (Stephane??!!) Anyone have any thoughts? I think we’ll see the Hossa situation resolved sometime very soon, as i promise you, if he isn’t traded, he will walk at the end of the year.

By Hockeyislife

February 1, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this

One moment that’s being ignored by both Pittsburgh and Atlanta coverage is that Kovalchuk taunted the Penguins’ bench after scoring before the Ruutu hit.

Who can forget the infamous pointing incident in Sidney Crosby’s rookie year when Kovalchuk did the same thing to Crosby in the penalty box after scoring a power play goal?

Kovalchuk has a history of showing up his opponents. He did it to Team Canada in the World Junior Hockey Championship in his final year of eligibility too, pumping his fist in the air just before scoring an empty-netter to seal Russia’s gold medal.

While I don’t condone the acts of a blatant cheap-shot artist like Ruutu who turtles when somebody takes him to task on his actions, you can’t place all the blame on him. Kovalchuk also needs to be accountable for his ill-advised acts.

By Christy

February 1, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this

Oh good grief. I am SO tired of hearing about Kovy’s taunting of Crosby two years ago. For those with convenient memory loss, that moment came during a time when the ENTIRE league (minus the Penguins, their fans and Don Cherry) was complaining about Crosby’s tendency to whine at the officials, and the way he easily fell over when someone skated past him and created a puff of air. Crosby took 4 penalties that night, including one for diving and the slashing call (which lead to the infamous score and taunt) which was in retaliation for being hit by Kovy.

Funnily enough, Crosby’s attitute on the ice changed substantially - at least the whining part, after that incident. He became focused on the game and what he could contribute with his skills and not his antics.

If anything, Pittsburgh fans and the entire league should have thanked Kovalchuck for pointing out to Sid how much he hurt his team with the stupid stuff he was doing at the time.

By Andy

February 1, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this

Are you Thrasher fans really that ignorant? I mean seriously…the hit by Jarko was not even that hard and it Kovy should’ve just taken the hit instead of bowing out…it was more wrong place wrong time for Kovy than Ruutu going directly after his knee…and I know you little pansy’s wouldn’t be saying anything if it were Recch’s or McCarthey or whomever, just because its your blessed Ilya that you have to complain like little girls…we lost Sid to injury for a much longer time than you guys will lose Ilya…its a game of contact and a game of feisty hits and if you aren’t ready to play in those situations then maybe you need to sit out a few games to rest your aching vagina!!!! And then on top of it, McCarthy is classes by continuing to pommel someone who isn’t even throwing a punch…the contact to the knee was accidental and you could tell Ruutu felt bad (even though he was just finishing a check) and thats why he didn’t fight back…he was more worried about Ilya than some goon taking shots to the back of the head…the kneeing penalty? perhaps. I could see where that was coming from…but the fighting major?!! you have got to be kidding me…if anything mccarthey should be suspended for being a goon and wailing on someone’s head when they aren’t even fighting back!!!

Atlanta Sucks and so do all of you!!!!

I still love Recch’s though!

SUCKA’s!!!

By The Other Bob

February 1, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this

Andy - You idiot! Jerk-O didn’t fight back because Mac was on him like stink on crap….er…stink on Pittsburgh!

By timmythebrave

February 1, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

Hockeyislife, If someone has a problem with Kovalchuk show boating or any other player that show boats then the right thing to do is drop gloves and go man to man not to do cheap shots. If Ruutu drops gloves and kicks a* I wouldn’t have a problem with him. I do have a problem with scrubs going after the league stars to injure or take them out of the game. I’ve never had a problem with fighting in hockey. In fact I encourage it.

By Hockeyislife

February 1, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

Timmy, you are correct, which is why the instigator penalty has to go. Ruutu is a big, strong, but gutless agitator who runs around then runs away when the going gets tough. Any fan who tries to defend him is watching through black and gold coloured lenses. Teams all around the league want him dead. Sid Crosby wanted him dead in the World Hockey Championship 3 years ago before Ruutu joined the Penguins.

As for Cristy, go ahead and ignore the evidence about Kovalchuk. Crosby was an 18-year-old rookie with the weight of the league on his shoulders coming out of the lockout. Comparatively speaking, Kovalchuk had zero expectations on him. Crosby rehabbed his image. Kovalchuk continues to show up opponents. Which player shows more character?

On top of that, how many Harts, Pearsons and Art Rosses does Kovalchuk have in his trophy case?

I love Kovalchuk’s skill and ability but he needs to stop the hot-dogging.

By timmythebrave

February 1, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

I don’t mind players celebrating after a goal. We need more players like him to not only contend but get the “average” person into the seats. I don’t think the pumping of the fists or going to 1 knee to celebrate is show boating but if a player does then I don’t mind a good fight either. Just my 2 cents

By Hockeyislife

February 1, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

Timmy, celebrating is fun. In the 70s Tiger Williams used to ride his stick like a hobby horse after his minimal career goals and it was the funniest shtick. Ovechkin celebrates the hell out of his goals and it’s great to see his sheer joy. However, he never throws it in his opponents’ faces.

Hotdogging goes against the code. If Kovalchuk didn’t celebrate in the direction of his opponents, then I’d have no problem with him. It’s just a shame that a guy with so much talent still does crap like that.

And take it from a guy who’s played hockey for 35 years…you never stop wanting to make a taunter eat shoulder pad when you’re on the receiving end. That would explain Ruutu’s motive. Too bad he did it the lowlife way.

By Smoothie

February 1, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

Even the Great One was known for his post-goal celebrations as a youngster. If pumping your fist, banging the glass or skating on one knee is taunting or construed as bad sportsmanship, so be it. Obviously, Kovy has “shown his a$$” from time to time but he has done much to tone it down over the last couple years. But a Kovy devoid of emotion and fire is a less effective Kovy that I for one don’t care to see. He is the emotional sparkplug of this team and we can ill-afford for him to play the game with a stoic and emotion-less demeanor.

By Christy

February 1, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this

Hockey is Life,

Crosby rehabbed his image AFTER that incident. Would he have if something like that hadn’t happened? I don’t discount the pressure of expectations, but if you listened to broadcasts from opposing teams during that year, and read articles, Crosby’s behavior was a recurring theme, one that diminished substantially after Kovy showed him up.

As for Kovalchuk “hotdogging it” as you infer, if you watch Kovy over the course of a season not just one game, 50% of the time, after scoring a goal, he whirls around punching his fist in just that motion. And it doesn’t bloody well matter to him if it’s in front of any bench, across the ice, or whereever - he’s in the moment. If it had been at the other end of the ice, his reaction would have been the same.

By Alan

February 1, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this

the hit by Jarko was not even that hard and it Kovy should’ve just taken the hit instead of bowing out

Yeah, dude. The hit was so “not even that hard,” that Ruutu almost ended up in the Atlanta bench. The hit was such an accident, you could see in the replay Ruutu change direction and stick out his knee. And if he had taken the hit? Kneecap to kneecap, and possibly a concussion for Kovalchuk. But by all means, Pittsburgh fans, continue defending that piece of crap you call a player. If he were on any other team, this would be a completely different story.

Hockeyislife - Actually, I really like the goal celebrations Kovalchuk does. And Ovechkin. Those show character. Those draw the hometown fans into the game even more. What, is he supposed to take his shot, score the goal, and go sit down on the bench with the rest of his team? How exciting is that?

By Hockeyislife

February 1, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

“If pumping your fist, banging the glass or skating on one knee is taunting or construed as bad sportsmanship, so be it.”

Some of you are failing to see the difference I’m stressing between celebrating and taunting. Did you not read the example of tiger Williams? I love the emotion of goal celebrations. I can’t stand it when they’re directed at opponents.

Also, I never condemned Kovalchuk’s emotion. I am making a point to connect his goal “celebration” to Ruutu’s deliberate knee-on-knee.

Believe me, I’m very familiar with Kovalchuk’s celebrations. As far as skill players go, he’s one of my favourites and he has every right to revel in some of the sick stuff he can do. However, on this particular occasion, he POINTED to the Pittsburgh bench. It wasn’t a whirl and punch. And don’t try to sell me the notion of being in the moment and not being aware of which direction his celebration is flying. A guy who can dangle, deke and embarrass goalies and d-men the way he does has a little more body control on the follow-through of a one-timer than you’re willing to accept. He knew what he was doing.

By Alan

February 1, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

Kovalchuk taunted the Penguins’ bench after scoring before the Ruutu hit.

Oh dear gods! Look at this taunt! Kovalchuk should have drawn an Unsportsmanlike penalty for skating around on one leg and celebrating!

Do you want Ice Hockey to more closely resemble College Football? After all, they won’t let their players celebrate touchdowns. You can’t be serious if you’re calling this a taunt.

By Thrasher Ryan

February 1, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

BREAKING NEWS!

Cindy Crosby is STILL a whiny cry-baby.

By Thrasher Ryan

February 1, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this

Pittsburgh fans—Please leave our blog now. The league will have the final say and that is all that matters. So please leave our blog now so we can make room for the Buffablow fans.

Thanks.

By Rawhide

February 1, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

I was at the game you are talikng about Hockislife….12 rows behind the penalty box Crosby exited.

There is no doubt what Kovy did in that game. As he “pointed out” after the game…he was letting him know that the goal just scored was on HIM…for taking a stupid penalty. He wanted to let him know that for all his antics and all his “petitioning” of the refs, in the end he cost his team a goal…it made the score 5-0.

At the time I thought, “Oh, no…don’t wake ‘em up like that”!

In the next several minutes, the score bacame 5-4 before an empty-netter finished off the Pens.

That being said, for anyone to point to that situation as an excuse for the dilerberate attempt to take such a run at Kovy like what happened the other night is off-base, IMHO.

Regardless, your point is taken.

By Hockeyislife

February 1, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

Nice picture. It doesn’t matter what I say about the “taunt”. The Pittsburgh bench saw it that way and you’re not going to change the players’ minds. It doesn’t matter if he pointed at them, stuck his tongue out at them or mooned them. Perception is reality in a hockey player’s mind and he will act upon it.

So I see what’s going on here:

1. Kovalchuk is totally beyond reproach.

2. Sid should send Ilya a nice fruit basket for being solely responsible for turning him into the fine NHL citizen he has become.

3. The Thrashers will be totally justified for crippling or attempting to injure an opponent the next time they are taunted. However, no Atlanta player has ever taunted, or should be accused of taunting an opponent in the future of the franchise.

How could I have been so blind?

By Christy

February 1, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

Nope. Kovalchuk is always within reach for criticism and he has received plenty on this blog in prior years.

He DID taunt Crosby that day. I never said he didn’t. What I said that if anything, Crosby almost brought it on himself and that Pens fanx should be greatful because after that, Crosby re-invented himself.

But he DID not taunt the Pens bench last game. to say he did is to read something into it that was not there.

By Hockeyislife

February 1, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this

Rawhide, I’m not making an excuse for Ruutu’s gutless act. I’m explaining his mentality. If the Penguins wanted to dish out payback the right way, they would’ve looked for him with his head down and introduced shoulder pad to chin.

What you’re suggesting is that I think Kovalchuk “deserved” what he got. NO WAY. That’s would be along the lines of the analysts who say Patrice Bergeron was partly responsible for Randy Jones putting him out for the year with a concussion because he didn’t go into the end boards “the right way.”

I never want to see a player injured by a cheap shot. If there’s payback to be dished out, then it should be done according to the code: a good, hard, clean hit or straight up, gloves off in a tilt that’s not a mismatch (ie. no heavyweight on flyweight, etc.).

By Hockeyislife

February 1, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this

Christy,

I just replayed the video of the Kovalchuk PPG 5 times. He one-times it, stays balanced enough to smoothly glide backwards 15 feet, then turns to the Pittsburgh bench and does a fist pump right at them.

Of course that’s not a taunt. The Penguins are emotionless robots and would not react negatively to such a coincidental gesture.

By Andy

February 1, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

You all hate Ruutu because he isn’t on your team!!! Hell, I hated Ruutu before he joined the pens, but he’s a pen now and look how great he gets under ya’lls skin….just think how he gets under the skin of those on the ice with him…

hockeyislife, who said… Ruutu is a big, strong, but gutless agitator who runs around then runs away when the going gets tough.

obviously hasn’t seen this fight. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apaCdBrBFe4

come one man hokceyislife….get real buddy…Ilya is a pansy

By The Other Bob

February 1, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

Andy - Yes, your absolutley right….all season long in Atlanta we have longed for the likes of a Jarkko Ruutu…he with is 0 goals, 60 assists 12 rating and 80 PIM….

He is our missing link to the Stanley Cup….GOD! If we ONLY had Ruutu!!

(rolling my eyes)

Brilliant!

By Alan

February 1, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

Hockeyislife - The Pittsburgh bench saw it that way and you’re not going to change the players’ minds.

It is the Pittsburgh fans who are accusing Kovalchuk of taunting, and it is the Pittsburgh fans who believe that what happened was retaliation. The players, to the best of my knowledge, have said nothing along those lines at all. Let the players speak for themselves.

As far as your “points” regarding what you think is “going on here,” you couldn’t be more wrong. Many of us were disappointed with Kovalchuk for his hit on Roszival. His excuse for the hit didn’t make a lot of sense either. Just like Ruutu’s excuse for the kneeing. And no, the Thrashers, or any other team, will never be justified in attacking another player like that headhunting goon Ruutu does.

Andy - Yes, we’re really longing for a goon! That will really help us get the Cup! A number one center? Good defense?! NO! All it takes is a thug! That’s exactly what we need!

Now, how about you Pittsburgh fans run along and go play on the Carolina fans boards? You all play them next, after all.

By Jethro

February 1, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

Anuther day and all these Pittsburp pinup gurls are runnin their mouths again.

That Ruutu feller should be renamed Tutu cause he bends over quicker than a drunk Alabamer cheerleader.

Furst, that Tutu feller comes at Kovy trien to show him some leg. Well, Kovy aint that kinda guy, maybe Cindy likes that kinda stuff.

When Kovy moves, that Tutu feller shows him some more leg and jumps into the Thrasher bench. I think that Tutu feller needs to freqent Swingin Richards if he’s into boys.

Anyway, Mac comes up and the next thing you now, Tutu is bent over the bench, but I dont think Mac is into that kind of thing so Mac just hits the stupid wuss.

Well, there’s anuther Pittsburp game comin up soon, I hope that Ruutu feller buys his Tutu in time cause he’s gonna get taged all night long.

By timturd

February 5, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

no suspension. looks like the leauge doesn’t have it’s head up it’s arse like you thrashers fans.