- Tim Sassone via twitter: Canucks coach Vigneault doesn’t think Torres’ hit was a penalty. Blackhawks coach Quenneville said “Brutal. Major. They missed it.”
Bob McKenzie provided a series of tweets last night talking about Torres’ hit on Seabrook:
- “My first reaction was classic case of Rule 48. Blindside hit, principal pt of contact to head or targeted head shot. That’s my view, BUT…”
- “When NHL GMs created Rule 48, they allowed area behind net is “hitting area” and players need to be more aware than, say, in neutral zone.”
- “In March/2010, DVD went to players, coaches, GMs saying exactly that, far more latitude given on hits behind net on unsuspecting players.”
- “In other words, as one NHL GM told me tonight, a hit behind net is viewed more like a north-south hit than an east-west neutral zone hit…”
- “The other big issue is principal point of contact. Was it a straight on body check where shoulder also struck head or a “head shot.”??”
- “Remember, in the NHL, there are circumstances where a shoulder hitting an unsuspecting or vulnerable player in the head is entirely legal.”
- “So what happens now? NHL will review it and, IMO, 1 of 2 things happens. Torres (repeat offender), gets LONG suspension OR he goes free.”
- “My prediction of what happens, based on DVD of March, 2010, and “hitting area” rationale, is as follows: Don’t believe he’ll be suspended.”
- “My opinion, based on Torres’ penchant for hitting people in head, is he should be suspended. But I don’t think he will be.”
