The Letang Hit from a Pengiuns Fan's Perspective

I don't even know why he got interference. Provably just because it looked like a serious injury. https://t.co/MrLHeCIvsu

— Tough Call (@ToughCallBlog) May 3, 2016

This is a different way of looking at the Penguins defenseman Kris Letang hit on Capitals forward Marcus Johansson. Talk about living in denial. I am not shocked, though. It's tough to look through an objective lens when a player on your favorite team could face a suspension.

Was it a head shot? Nope. He targeted the chest. If anything, Johansson’s head hit Letang’s name bar because it was behind Letang’s shoulder. Was it an elbow? Not a chance. A charge? Less than two strides. Late? .64 seconds? I think the .04 is covered by the two minute penalty by the on ice official. But it was a violent, open ice hit! A guy was hurt! It was so fast! That can’t be allowed! That can’t be a hockey play! The only way to stop hits like his from happening is to ban hitting. Sorry folks. You’ve. Got. Nothing. (Tough Call)

I wonder how the author would feel if Brooks Orpik had laid this hit on Sidney Crosby? I am sure that his perspective would be different. I think the problem in the NHL is there's no respect among the players anymore. Eventually, we're going to get this right.

Letang could face discipline after late hit on Johansson. MORE: https://t.co/g0uxAkSyyK pic.twitter.com/2WZaCabjdt

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 3, 2016

Brooks Orpik Suspended 3 Games For Dirty Hit

You've probably seen it by now. In game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Washington Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik knocked Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta out of the game with a dirty, high, late hit. Of course, none of us were shocked, Orpik has a history of leveling dirty, borderline hits and then turtling when challenged to fight. This time, no one is defending Orpik's actions.

Finally, this time, Orpik wasn't able to escape justice. For the next three games, the Capitals will be without their rugged defenseman. For those wondering at home, Orpik is a repeat-offender and hopefully, this will straighten him out.

Ron Cook from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has this gem in today's article.

Two things … I couldn’t believe Orpik — one of the great teammates in any sport — letting down his Washington Capitals guys. He will miss the next three games of the Penguins-Capitals playoff series after being suspended for his elbow-to-the-head hit on Maatta early in Game 2. His absence will be a severe blow to the Capitals defense. They are a much lesser team without him.

I also thought about how hypocritical so many of us are. We are outraged that Orpik did that to Maatta, who could miss significant time with an apparent head injury, and wanted the NHL to come down on him even harder. Yet we loved Orpik when he delivered those dangerous hits when he played for the Penguins. It was perfectly fine that he delivered borderline-to-dirty hits to Erik Cole, Derek Stepan and Jonathan Toews — among others — and had been suspended twice. It was good, hard hockey, right? Of course, we loved Ulf Samuelsson and Darius Kasparaitis, too. It didn’t matter to us that they were dirty players. They played for the home team.

Hopefully, next time Orpik decides to hit someone with a dirty, bush league hit the NHL will hand out an even stiffer suspension.  I am all for legal, hard hits. Hockey is a rough sport and hitting is a part of the game. There's no room for hits that leaves the opposition with a traumatic brain injury. Finally, Orpik isn't a victim, justice is finally catching up with him.

Time to Throw the Book at Brooks Orpik

Washington Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik should sit for the rest of the series against the Penguins. This is a dirty, late, high,and unnecessary hit.

In my opinion, this hit is a violation of NHL rule 48. Orpik has a history of making questionable hits and escaping suspension. This time, I don't think that Orpik will get off scot-free. I think that he's going to feel the burn. I hope the NHL throws the book at him.

There will be some that will defend Orpik's play and say that Olli Maatta was crouched down. That doesn't give a player the right to blow them up.

Washington’s Brooks Orpik will have a hearing today for interference on Pittsburgh’s Olli Maatta.

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) May 1, 2016

Saw Brooks Orpik throw those kinds of despicable hits countless times in a Penguins uni. Little different to see him do it to Pittsburgh now

— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) May 1, 2016

Video: Brooks Orpik levels Dan Boyle

This is the hit Washington Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik put on Rangers defenseman Dan Boyle. Do you think that this is a dirty hit? Is there a suspension coming? Boyle left the game after the hit.

@Dave_Schwartz cheap shot elbow to the head not called.

— GPL (@GopherPuckLive) May 14, 2015

@DRdiabloTHW oh man. That's a lot of elbow to head :S

— Callum Fraser (@CallumFraser18) May 14, 2015

@DRdiabloTHW oh man. That's a lot of elbow to head :S

— Callum Fraser (@CallumFraser18) May 14, 2015

(Video) Brooks Orpik hit on Jonathan Toews

I am not a fan of Brooks Orpik, not at all. He will lay people out with huge hits that seem to always be in the grey area. He'll layout a star player and not answer the bell when challenged. That's my biggest problem with this guy. This hit is right on the edge. It could go either way. I am not a fan of either team. I have no dog in this fight.

But look at it this way. If someone hit Wayne Gretzky or Sidney Crosby this way, what would happen to that player in question. It Wild forward Matt Cooke hit Jonathan Toews with this hit, would he be getting a call from the Department of Player Safety?

Still not convinced?

Let me put it to you this way. I am sure that if the Bruins forward Milan Lucic hit Sidney Crosby like that Penguins fan's would be fine with that hit, right? I am sure they would be.... Right? They wouldn't be screaming for a suspension, right? Of course not. I am not saying that Brooks deserves to be suspended by the NHL. He won't be. The next time someone takes a run at Crosby, remember this hit.

@tjmcaloon the suspension train is pulling in the station. pic.twitter.com/KSjZlakOt9
— Michael Keating (@KeatingSports) March 31, 2014

Shawn Thornton to appeal 15-game suspension

Shawn Thornton's agent Anton Thun confirms his client will appeal his 15-game suspension
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) December 16, 2013

Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton is going to appeal his 15-game suspension. I can't imagine an independent arbitrator ruling in his favor, but we will soon find out.

So Shawn Thornton is appealing his 15-game suspension. First appeal is to Bettman, who will provide written judgment.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) December 16, 2013

If, after receiving Bettman's judgment and narrative, Thornton wants to appeal that, he can go to independent arbitrator.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) December 16, 2013

(Video) Boston Bruins: Shawn Thornton Suspended 15-games

Update: The NHL has thrown the book at Bruins tough guy Shawn Thornton for his attack on Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik.

According to Darren Dreger of TSN, Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton is suspended 15-games for his attack on Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik. That means that Thornton will not be eligible to return to the ice until January 11, 2014 against the San Jose Sharks. Developing.

Thornton gets 15 games. #TSN
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 14, 2013

Chiarelli: "We respect the process including the ability to attend and present our case in person. At this time, we will decline comment..."
— Bruins Daily (@BruinsDaily) December 14, 2013

Boston Bruins issue statements regarding the suspension of Shawn Thornton. Read: http://t.co/s7xLfTAG57 ^BB
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 14, 2013

Via a team press release, Shawn Thornton says he'll discuss suspension with team, NHLPA and his reps, will address publicly after that.
— Matt Pepin (@mattpep15) December 14, 2013

Related articles

• Doesn't look good for Shawn Thornton (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Throw the Book at Shawn Thornton (thehockeywriters.com)
• Settling the Debate: Thornton Hit Worse Than Neal Knee (thehockeywriters.com)
• The Character Assassination of Brooks Orpik (thehockeywriters.com)
• VIDEO: Loui Eriksson concussed after hit from Brooks Orpik: Shawn Thornton Attacks Orpik (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

James Neal suspended 5-games for kneeing Marchand

I think the suspension should be longer, but that's the breaks. It's a good thing that Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand wasn't hurt by the dirty play. Nice to see that Dion Phaneuf will probably be getting suspended for his dirty hit on Kevan Miller.

5 games for Neal. Phaneuf phone hearing tomorrow at 10am.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 9, 2013

James Neal suspension video: http://t.co/vOqnaI92TR
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) December 9, 2013

Dion Phaneuf boards Kevan Miller http://t.co/MyQmHP7xqI
— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) December 9, 2013

Related articles

• Was James Neal Kneeing Marchand Intentional? (thehockeywriters.com)
• Throw the Book at Shawn Thornton (thehockeywriters.com)
• Bruins Kevan Miller boarded by Leafs Dion Phaneuf (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

VIDEO: Loui Eriksson concussed after hit from Brooks Orpik: Shawn Thornton Attacks Orpik

First, this is the hit by Brooks Orpik on Loui Eriksson that caused Shawn Thornton to snap tonight. This hit also injured Eriksson, and from the video, you can see that the puck was nowhere near Erikson. 

While the hit definitely a penalty; it's probably nothing more than a two-minute minor penalty for interference. 

That being said, there’s no excusing what Shawn Thornton did, this is unacceptable. I believe that Thornton broke the hockey code by attacking a player that was laying on the ice. You can't have that. 

Thornton is going to have a hearing with the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety. While Thornton has never been suspended by the NHL, they have to respond to this hit.

I think that it would be safe to say that Thornton will be looking at a very long suspension. The NHL has to respond harshly to this act of violence. I am going to predict that Thornton is looking at a 10-game suspension, minimum. Some might compare what There's no excusing what he did. Before Boston Bruins fans eviscerate me, I am Boston Bruins fan, but we can't excuse this. 

(Video) Brooks Orpik hit on Chris Neil

This is the hit that Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik put on Ottawa Senators forward Chris Neil. There was no penalty called on the play, in my opinion, this was a dangerous hit, but not necessarily dirty, but dangerous.

If you're a fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins you probably think this is a good hockey play. If you're a fan of the Senators, you probably wanted a penalty on the play. The head coach of the Ottawa Sentors Paul MacLean didn't like the play and was unhappy about on the players bench. I suppose in the regular season, there might have been a penalty called on the hit, it's a what we call a push check, a form of checking from behind. What do others think of the hit?

#TribHKY >> Neil lost footing, Orpik give him good shove during his fall. #pens #sens
— Rob Rossi (@RobRossi_Trib) May 20, 2013

Chris Neil.....hi...you're injured!
— Injury Ninja (@InjuryNinja) May 20, 2013

Like Lucic's hit on Gunnarson, that's a penalty a month ago.
— Joe Meloni (@JoeMeloni) May 20, 2013

(Video) Brooks Orpik check on Eric Gryba

It's better to be the hammer than the nail. This is like a collision of two freight trains. Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik lights up Senators defenseman Eric Gryba with this heavy check. So would we call this an (B.C.) Eagle on (B.U.) Terrier violence?

Brooks Orpik hammers Daniel Paille

Disclosure: I am a Boston Bruins fans, but this is an awesome hit, this is a text book legal check by former B.C. Eagle and Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik on Boston Bruins forward Daniel Paille. I also like the fact that a hard hit didn't cause an immediate fight or retaliation by someone on the opposition team.