No hearing for Niskanen....

[pitt-girl]

I have to agree with others who thought Ovechkin's slash was worse than Niskanin crosscheck. I don't think the Pens have the bodies to bring up a goon, but I sure wish someone would target Ovi. JMO.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2017/05/02/sidney-crosby-matt-niskanen/101194850/

 

[paulbl99]

I have to agree with others who thought Ovechkin's slash was worse than Niskanin crosscheck. I don't think the Pens have the bodies to bring up a goon, but I sure wish someone would target Ovi. JMO.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2017/05/02/sidney-crosby-matt-niskanen/101194850/

Niskanen swung two fisted baseball bat style at Sid.

 

[Swervin27]

 

[9nationalchampionships]

He did not premeditate but he did drive through Sid with a cross check to the face and forced his weight over his left leg. Sissito (sp) time!

 

[Harve74]

Niskanen swung two fisted baseball bat style at Sid.

No, he didn't.

Ovi basically did that with the hit to the back of Sid's helmet/neck.

Niskanen brought his arms ( and stick) up in front to his chest in what looked to me like a move based out of self-protection as much as anythjng originally.

Even in slow motion, that's what I see.

Now, in the photo in the USA Today, it clearly shows Niskanen's stick hitting Crosby's jaw hinge, right between Niskanen's hands. That's a solid knock-out blow very likely to cause a concussion every time.

I know more than a bit about concussions. I've had a couple myself and my son was in the UPMC Concussion Profile for several years.

The question remains is whether Niskanen's blow was intentional. Unlike Ovi's hit or the one at the Winter Classic which nearly knocked Sid out of hockey, intent is not so clear on the Niskanen hit. Both players were sliding to the ice. Sid might already have been concussed by Ovi's blow.

But, the photo REALLY looks bad. If the photo was the only evidence, I'd have to suspend Niskanen for 6 months.

As it is, I'm not sure. If it were players named Smith snd Jones snd playing for random teams, I'd probably call the Niskaern hit accidental. Given it's the Capitals, down 0-2 and hitting Crosby, it certainly would raise questions in ANY reputable league.

But, this is the NHL. As long as hits like these are part of the game, it's not a major league, but UFC with skates.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Niskanen was totally intentional.

It was not a hockey play and the idea it was self defense is comical.
No hockey player needs to two handed stick and extend his arms to a falling player .

The stick was used as a weapon, plain and simple 46 hours after niskanen went nuts in a players only meeting ... in the first 5 minutes of the game.

And this is why hockey remains a fringe sport. Garage league

 

[andypappas]

Even if the idiot claims it was self defense, a hit like that to any other part of the body would be vicious. Bottom line it is things like this that keep the popularity of hockey down. I wonder how the leaders of the NHL will react if and when the new golden boy in Edmonton gets hit.
I also lost any respect for the pos coach of there's when he claimed the Pens were also guilty of cheap shots. Guy should look at the goofs he has on his roster (Ovechkin and Wilson) and not talk about other teams.

 

[Pitt-Chains]

I have to agree with others who thought Ovechkin's slash was worse than Niskanin crosscheck. I don't think the Pens have the bodies to bring up a goon, but I sure wish someone would target Ovi. JMO.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2017/05/02/sidney-crosby-matt-niskanen/101194850/

Sid was assaulted..

 

[Harve74]

Even if the idiot claims it was self defense, a hit like that to any other part of the body would be vicious. Bottom line it is things like this that keep the popularity of hockey down. I wonder how the leaders of the NHL will react if and when the new golden boy in Edmonton gets hit.
I also lost any respect for the pos coach of there's when he claimed the Pens were also guilty of cheap shots. Guy should look at the goofs he has on his roster (Ovechkin and Wilson) and not talk about other teams.

I cannot argue a bit that Sid wasn't assaulted. It's clear that the Caps have been targeting his head for years. It is criminal and arguably should be prosecuted. Sooner or later a goon will kill someone.

 

[Black Panther]

Niskannin should sit at least one game.I'd say bring up Sestito and have him go after ovechkin.If Sestitio gets suspended so be it.

 

[USN_Panther]

Niskannin should sit at least one game.I'd say bring up Sestito and have him go after ovechkin.If Sestitio gets suspended so be it.

Home ice means second change. He should go after him right on the opening faceoff. But it has to take him out. Can't be a few stitches and back in the game. Level the playing surface so to speak.

 

[ratking17]

The league has established this precedent. Why wouldn't the pens call up some goon from the minors, send him out on the face off, and then take 2 hands and use the stick as a baseball bat against the caps best players face? (I honestly don't know who that would be. Backstrom? Oshie? Ovechkin?) So what if he gets tossed and suspended. Take out their best and make it a best of 3 series.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

I cannot argue a bit that Sid wasn't assaulted. It's clear that the Caps have been targeting his head for years. It is criminal and arguably should be prosecuted. Sooner or later a goon will kill someone.

But that is a misnomer. There are few, if any, "pure goons" anymore. Alot of this stuff, well they say leave up to the refs to call it, don't take matters into your own hands, but they don't.

I wrote about this a couple of weeks ago, BEFORE anything like this happened. It is like I foreshadowed it. Just no hits to the head. Simple as that. The league is pretty diligent in calling accidental high sticks to the face as penalties, but the cross checks to the head are considered "hockey plays" by a a large faction of the hockey community.

Wayne Gretzky never had this kind of stuff, because he had LEGIT goons skating along side of him who would make anyone pay. Lemieux used to get abused, when he played with Kevin Stevens and Rick Tocchet, he was untouched because while those two were not goons, they were big, strong and tough as nails. They take out fighting (rightfully so) but the head shots still remain.

The Pens are no angels for sure. But the Caps (Ovy especially) have always taken advantage of the Pens being a team who doesn't engage much in cheap shot retributions.

 

[Revenge Of The Noise]

It's the playoffs so winning has to be first priority.

But ultimately they have to have a retaliation that takes out an opponents star. Ovechkin specifically in this case. Who cares about a miserable little worm like Niskanen.

The targeting isn't going to stop until that happens. The league has made it clear. The team has to provide its own protection.

Do the Penguins want these guys...not just Crosby but Letang, etc to have careers much longer? Or not? Their agents should actually be raising hell with the Penguins. Frankly their families too.

 

[pitt2533]

Niskanen was totally intentional.

It was not a hockey play and the idea it was self defense is comical.
No hockey player needs to two handed stick and extend his arms to a falling player .

The stick was used as a weapon, plain and simple 46 hours after niskanen went nuts in a players only meeting ... in the first 5 minutes of the game.

And this is why hockey remains a fringe sport. Garage league

Amen.... It is as simple as this to me.

If you watch the video as well, the notion that Niskanen only saw Sid last minute is a joke. He is clearly watching Sid cutting in front of the goalie taking a 2 handed baseball slash from that stupid Ape Ovechkin, he can see him falling to the ice already and he then extends his arms with both hands as end of stick and cross checks him in the face.

 

[Farnox]

Niskanen was totally intentional.

It was not a hockey play and the idea it was self defense is comical.
No hockey player needs to two handed stick and extend his arms to a falling player .

The stick was used as a weapon, plain and simple 46 hours after niskanen went nuts in a players only meeting ... in the first 5 minutes of the game.

And this is why hockey remains a fringe sport. Garage league

This is why I am a marginal hockey fan. Once the playoffs start, it's a totally different game. The rules go
out the window and it becomes a last man standing brawl. All the clutching, grabbing, hooking and cheap shots, that the league looks the other way on, takes a lot of the fun out of it for me. You always expect some rule bending, guys pushing the limits etc, but in hockey it becomes so blatant and over the line that it's a kill joy for me. I support the Pens and do hope that they win another cup but Niskanen not getting punished? It's like letting Bernie Madoff go because it's part of the game.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

It's the playoffs so winning has to be first priority.

But ultimately they have to have a retaliation that takes out an opponents star. Ovechkin specifically in this case. Who cares about a miserable little worm like Niskanen.

The targeting isn't going to stop until that happens. The league has made it clear. The team has to provide its own protection.

Do the Penguins want these guys...not just Crosby but Letang, etc to have careers much longer? Or not? Their agents should actually be raising hell with the Penguins. Frankly their families too.

I agree. And I would really expect them to have targets on their backs the first game they play against each other next year.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Agree with everything that's been said except the post from "Mega Junk Mail Poster Souf."

Crosby has toughened up in recent years but he has to be able to defend himself and survive these attacks.

He's a target, these attacks will intensify especially when the PENS opponents see that he's an easy target to take out. If he cant survive these onslaughts his future in the NHL is in doubt given the current rules of the game!

Other superstars seem to be more injury resistant because they've prepared themselves for "assaults."

Another way to look at this is a guy like Niskonen could have an unfortunate accident in Pittbsurgh. The sidewalks are uneven in spots and he could have a sudden unexpected fall knocking out what teeth he has left, breaking his jaw and nose. Othewise Crosby has to man up!

Well Connor McDavid already has been the target of same cheap shots, and he lost alot of time last year in his rookie year due to a cheap shot. What a league, eh? Glorify the plugger and condemn the star. Shrewd business model.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

Well Connor McDavid already has been the target of same cheap shots, and he lost alot of time last year in his rookie year due to a cheap shot. What a league, eh? Glorify the plugger and condemn the star. Shrewd business model.

The issue is the pluggers will always be there, looking to take out the star, so the stars have to evolve in order to survive a full career!

Learn how to walk around the tar pits and live longer!
Ask a Dinosaur next time you see one??

 

[paulbl99]

Agree with everything that's been said except the post from "Mega Junk Mail Poster Souf."

Crosby has toughened up in recent years but he has to be able to defend himself and survive these attacks.

He's a target, these attacks will intensify especially when the PENS opponents see that he's an easy target to take out. If he cant survive these onslaughts his future in the NHL is in doubt given the current rules of the game!

Other superstars seem to be more injury resistant because they've prepared themselves for "assaults."

Another way to look at this is a guy like Niskonen could have an unfortunate accident in Pittbsurgh. The sidewalks are uneven in spots and he could have a sudden unexpected fall knocking out what teeth he has left, breaking his jaw and nose. Othewise Crosby has to man up!

Then actually you must not agree w most of what's been posted since Souf who was spot on.

How the hell do you toughen up your head from getting bashed intentionally back to back in a matter of seconds.

NHL = Studio Wrestling on skates.
All we need are replacements for Chilly Billy and Ringside Rosie.

 

[ratking17]

Good point about high sticks. Guy gets cut on face and 4 mins he is in the sin bin. This is cut and dry. Sticks above the neck should lead to penalties as well. There should be no hockey plays where a guy takes a stick to the face with the opposing player having 2 hands on the stick

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Good point about high sticks. Guy gets cut on face and 4 mins he is in the sin bin. This is cut and dry. Sticks above the neck should lead to penalties as well. There should be no hockey plays where a guy takes a stick to the face with the opposing player having 2 hands on the stick

Absolutely. I think it is ludicrous that they are so diligent on "accidental" high sticks because you are supposed to "be in control of your stick at all times" but yet the intentional head shots such as cross checks to the head are cavalierly referred to as part of the game. A "hockey play". Blows my mind.

 

[pitt-girl]

Absolutely. I think it is ludicrous that they are so diligent on "accidental" high sticks because you are supposed to "be in control of your stick at all times" but yet the intentional head shots such as cross checks to the head are cavalierly referred to as part of the game. A "hockey play". Blows my mind.

Recruits I 100% agree with about head shots. There should be zero tolerance. The fact that they let this go blows my mind.

 

[vegasgreed]

They didn't let it go. Nisky was kicked out of the game.

If roles were reversed, Malkin hitting Wilson or some other player in the same fashion, most on here would have a different opinion.

He came up high as Sid was coming across the crease, he got kicked out of the game. Now, if he took his stick in a two handed fashion and swung his stick and hit someone in the head, its a different story.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

They didn't let it go. Nisky was kicked out of the game.

If roles were reversed, Malkin hitting Wilson or some other player in the same fashion, most on here would have a different opinion.

He came up high as Sid was coming across the crease, he got kicked out of the game. Now, if he took his stick in a two handed fashion and swung his stick and hit someone in the head, its a different story.

No. A cross check to the head is a cross check to the head.....especially when it injures someone, especially when it is "that guy", who's history of head injuries is well known.

 

[Revenge Of The Noise]

They didn't let it go. Nisky was kicked out of the game.

If roles were reversed, Malkin hitting Wilson or some other player in the same fashion, most on here would have a different opinion.

He came up high as Sid was coming across the crease, he got kicked out of the game. Now, if he took his stick in a two handed fashion and swung his stick and hit someone in the head, its a different story.

Ovechkin really caused the problem, swinging at and striking Crosby's head with his stick (and tripping him with his skate), and he was totally absolved. During the game and after.

 

[WiseAndGlorious]

Niskanen was totally intentional.

It was not a hockey play and the idea it was self defense is comical.
No hockey player needs to two handed stick and extend his arms to a falling player .

The stick was used as a weapon, plain and simple 46 hours after niskanen went nuts in a players only meeting ... in the first 5 minutes of the game.

And this is why hockey remains a fringe sport. Garage league

When Tie Domi and Don Cherry are both calling bullshit on the "hockey play" excuse, that is all you need to know.

 

[9nationalchampionships]

Trash talking in the NHL is sad.

Jason Mackey

✔@JMackeyPG


Beagle said he was deeply hurt by Kessel's 'idiot' comment. If they want to settle it, Beagle proposed Mario Kart.

12:17 PM - 3 May 2017

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Jason Mackey

✔@JMackeyPG
Jay Beagle: "I’m hurt deeply. If he wants to settle it, we could always play some Mario Kart. He knows where to find me."

12:29 PM - 3 May 2017

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[BuffetParrothead]

You're an idiot. And listening to Jimmy Buffet, it is no surprise. So the stars need to "evolve" by having their skulls grow thicker in plate and bone?

Simple !
Learn how to protect yourself against the Hockey predators and become more of a physical threat to those same people! Other stars have gone this route and it worked!

It appears the league has zero interest in reining in the hockey predators so players have two choices be victims or take action! Not only are they not curbing the violence they're letting many of the predators get away with illegal actions which makes things worse!

Others have done this but it seems like Crosby hasn't learned yet! He's had lots of missed games for "medical" issues!

Athletes can evolve it lots of different ways.

Its Five O'clock Somewhere! Signed: Buffet

 

[WiseAndGlorious]

You'd think that if someone was a big enough fan of Jimmy Buffett to craft a screen name after him, that they would at least spell the guy's name correctly.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Simple !
Learn how to protect yourself against the Hockey predators and become more of a physical threat to those same people! Other stars have gone this route and it worked!

It appears the league has zero interest in reining in the hockey predators so players have two choices be victims or take action! Not only are they not curbing the violence they're letting many of the predators get away with illegal actions which makes things worse!

Others have done this but it seems like Crosby hasn't learned yet! He's had lots of missed games for "medical" issues!

Athletes can evolve it lots of different ways.

Its Five O'clock Somewhere! Signed: Buffet

Why are you "quoting" medical issues. What do you think they are, fake? You are a tard and I don't want some Jimmy effing Buffet hillbilly to chime in on hockey threads. I am sure there is a NASCAR board for you somewhere.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

Why are you "quoting" medical issues. What do you think they are, fake? You are a tard and I don't want some Jimmy effing Buffet hillbilly to chime in on hockey threads. I am sure there is a NASCAR board for you somewhere.

Love NASCAR too!
Always drop one t since when I set up my screen name I forgot a t?

 

[Swervin27]

Love NASCAR too!
Always drop one t since when I set up my screen name I forgot a t?

nascar is like an air show, it's only entertaining when there is a crash..

 

[BuffetParrothead]

nascar is like an air show, it's only entertaining when there is a crash..

Lots of them every Sunday!
You have to watch the whole show pit stops, cautions, restarts, crashes, penalties, etc. Now they have stage racing where there's a number of stage winners in each race + an overall winner of the race!
If you understand the sport its fun to watch if you don't its not! Simple!

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Lots of them every Sunday!
You have to watch the whole show pit stops, cautions, restarts, crashes, penalties, etc. Now they have stage racing where there's a number of stage winners in each race + an overall winner of the race!
If you understand the sport its fun to watch if you don't its not! Simple!

I am not surprised.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

I am not surprised.

I'm lobbying local Pittsburgh government to build a track in Pittsburgh so all you boing overweight Burg fat as-ses that I see in Heinz field and at the Pete can attend the Pittsburgh 500!
Can't wait!

 

[Swervin27]

Lots of them every Sunday!
You have to watch the whole show pit stops, cautions, restarts, crashes, penalties, etc. Now they have stage racing where there's a number of stage winners in each race + an overall winner of the race!
If you understand the sport its fun to watch if you don't its not! Simple!

i went to a Daytona 500 before heading down to key west, it was pretty cool. I was sober so that was a mistake on my part but still not bad, minus the 2 rain delays.. I kid you not, 2 rain delays (or whatever Dixie land calls it). think it was 2000. key west was a blast, drunk driving on a scooter is fun, reminded me of high school.

 

[Swervin27]

I'm lobbying local Pittsburgh government to build a track in Pittsburgh so all you boing overweight Burg fat as-ses that I see in Heinz field and at the Pete can attend the Pittsburgh 500!
Can't wait!

rumors of one being built in moon, first indoor nascar track. by rumors in present tense, I mean this was a rumor in early 90's. gonna chalk it up to not being true..

 

[BuffetParrothead]

i went to a Daytona 500 before heading down to key west, it was pretty cool. I was sober so that was a mistake on my part but still not bad, minus the 2 rain delays.. I kid you not, 2 rain delays (or whatever Dixie land calls it). think it was 2000. key west was a blast, drunk driving on a scooter is fun, reminded me of high school.

Wife and I go to Key West four times a year + Daytona is a week of fun in Florida!
Daytona speed week is a packed house!

 

[BuffetParrothead]

rumors of one being built in moon, first indoor nascar track. by rumors in present tense, I mean this was a rumor in early 90's. gonna chalk it up to not being true..

Pittsburgh sports marketing studies showed limited interest in an NBA team and a race track for both Indy & NASCAR races.
Football, baseball, and hockey town!
The spelling of NASCAR confuses and scares the locals!
I live 300 miles away in an area of PA where racing is very popular.