Alright.
First, our prayers go out to all residents of Japan and other locations struck by the earthquake and resulting tsunami. Watching video this morning of the damage in Japan was stunning.
That being said - if I hear another comment about the impact of the disaster on stock markets I think I might hurl. Is it just me or when we see hundreds of people dying from the results of this disaster, should we really be that worried just now with the impact on our stock portfolios?
And just in general, while I understand the impact of the market on our economy, I think we are perhaps giving just a little too much attention to it. Not everything in life revolves around the current price of Apple stock.
Now then.. moving on.
Have you watched the Zdeno Chara hit on Max Pacioretty?
Watch the video here.. and pay attention. The media would like you to believe that this was somehow a dirty hit - beyond that, the great minds in Quebec are requesting that police conduct an investigation.
BTW.. weren't Quebec prosecutors recently complaining about being over-worked and underpaid and going on strike? Apparently they don't have enough to keep them busy and are going out and finding crimes to prosecute now.
Two comments:
a) The hit was clean. Entirely. His arms were down, he did not hit Pacioretty from behind - it was just a tragic circumstance that the hit happened to be at that point on the ice where the leading edge of the glass was exposed. To suggest that there should have been a suspension, or worse, that there should be a criminal investigation is the nanny state gone wild, which leads to the second point;
b) Quebec. Say good-bye to your dream of obtaining an NHL team. Clearly Gary Bettman has no major concerns over the incident and the fact that the political culture in Quebec is such that players may suffer criminal investigations for clean hits I suggest makes it highly unlikely that anyone looks at planting a team in the rink built for nobody.
I mean, my God, why would anyone but an idiot propose to want to expand their business into Quebec?
Message to Gary Bettman:
You are right on to do nothing in response to the Chara hit, and, remember this bit of high drama when it comes time to consider where you might plant the Coyotes and the Thrashers. Winnipeg? Sure Hamilton? Why not? Quebec? Nope... oh, excusez moi, "non".
2 comments:
The damage and destruction from the earthquake and tsunami in Japan looks massive! I hope the United States and other countries make substantial contributions to the relief efforts there.
About Zdeno Chara, I can’t believe Chara’s hit is under investigation by Montreal police! It happened at a strange spot on the rink, and that’s why Pacioretty was badly injured. Do the police get involved whenever two players fight on the ice? No, so why should this situation be treated any differently? There is a certain level of physicality that is acceptable for participants in sporting events that wouldn’t be tolerated elsewhere. I hope Chara isn’t criminally charged since it will result in all physical contact in hockey (and other sports) being scrutinized.
Sure it was a clean hit. That's not the issue. The lateness of the hit and intent is the problem here. Is it really only a coincidence these two specific players have a history of bad blood? After 20 years of playing hockey was Chara unaware of that danger zone on the ice? The same spot players look at all game long while sitting on the bench. Really?20 years of hockey and he did not know where he was on the ice? Players know not to hit anyone into that spot out of respect. That respect was intentionally forgotten. Players knew it and so did the refs, hence the game misconduct.
You want to know why NHL took no disciplin action? Because the head of disciplinary action for the NHL is Colin Campbell. Colin Campbell has a son in the NHL and guess what team he is on. The Boston Bruins. I bet that made his decision much easier. I wonder what his decision would have been if it was his son on the stretcher instead of Pacioretty.
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