Hockey 2010-2011

[smc]

Originally Posted by shadows

What a horrifying hit by Chara. I think that he will probably be getting a suspension for it. I thought Pacioretty had broken his neck! Scary, scary indeed!

You are absolutely correct to use the word "horrifying," and I have no problem calling out even a member of my beloved Bruins for a dirty hit. However, having looked at the replay several times now, I think that while horrifying this was not dirty. It was big, but it didn't come from behind Pacioretty. Chara was skating along the boards and at the side of Pacioretty, and to finish a check leaned on him very heavily. Pacioretty's head and neck snapped against the stanchion -- and that wa indeed horrifying and very, very scary.

Chara is not even remotely known as a dirty player. He does battle for position, and uses his size (he's a good 7 inches taller than Pacioretty).

While Habs coach Jacques Martin has been insisting it was a dirty hit and has called for the league to review the tape, I think the tape doesn't lie.

However, I think Chara will get a suspension anyway. Why? The league has been so inconsistent about this growing problem that it will see an opportunity to look tough -- an opportunity it cannot pass up. And this will be exacerbated by the size difference between Chara and Pacioretty, which will make it even easier to defend a suspension.

I hope Pacioretty is okay!