• March 28, 2024

Reaction to Chara Hit- Absurd or Warranted?

The hockey world has been chirping over the last two days about the shove by Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara that directed Montreal Canadiens’ forward Max Pacioretty’s head into a stanchion between the benches. Pacioretty, who was released from the hospital earlier today, suffered a severe concussion and a cracked vertebrae.

For video of the hit, click here:

Chara was hit with a five minute major and a game misconduct for his actions, but the NHL elected to not punish him any further. This has prompted countless opinions from players, commentators, and fans, who you could generally say are split on that decision. Some believe the video shows intent to injure and thus warrants some form of punishment while others look at it as a “hockey play” with a very unfortunate outcome.

Then there’s Montreal.

Reports came out on Wednesday that the Montreal police were asking fans to stop calling in and demanding they arrest Chara. This has since been followed up with a report from the Globe and Mail that the police will now be opening a formal investigation, “following a request by Quebec’s director of criminal and penal prosecutions, Louis Dionne.”

This is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve heard in awhile, and this is following a week in which Charlie Sheen went insane. It reeks of political agenda in a region where fans are notoriously prone to violent behaviour. Even the owner of the Canadiens, Goeff Molson, released a statement today, saying, “We understand and appreciate hockey being a physical sport, but we do not accept any violent behavior that will put the players’ health and safety at risk.”

Air Canada, a sponsor of the NHL (and whose name adorns the arena where the Flyers are skating tonight), also weighed in on the hit. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman balked at that, though, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Toronto Sun. Bettman stated, “It is the prerogative of our clubs that fly on Air Canada to make other arrangements if they don’t think Air Canada is giving them the appropriate level of service.”

The last time a player was investigated by police for an on-ice incident was in 2004, when Todd Bertuzzi followed Steve Moore around the ice from behind, punched him in the back of the head and then hurled him onto the ice. As a result, Moore suffered from three fractured neck vertebrae and a concussion and never played again.

Unlike the Bertuzzi incident, Chara isn’t a dirty player and didn’t appear to go out of his way to “take out” Pacioretty, even though the two have had some history before. Calling for an investigation into this just opens up the door for many more “gray area” hits, such as Mike Richards’ hit on David Booth and Matt Cooke’s elbow to Marc Savard.

That said, the NHL wouldn’t be under fire if it hadn’t approached this so nonchalantly. The arguments I’ve heard are:

  • That would have been a “nothing” incident if it happened anywhere else on the ice. Except it didn’t happen anywhere else on the ice, it happened at a very vulnerable location that Chara should have been aware of.
  • Chara has no past suspensions and isn’t a dirty player. Does that mean I, with no prior criminal record, can get away with first-time assault like a get out of jail free card? No. A player like Dan Carcillo would have been suspended indefinitely before Colin Campbell could finish a blink. The action should bear just as much weight as the player.
  • Pacioretty should have known where the stanchion was and been aware that Chara might try to put him through it. I don’t even know where to begin?

 

Alex Ovechkin was suspended for two games in 2009 after a reckless knee-on-knee collision with Tim Gleason. The message sent? It doesn’t matter how much of a superstar you are, you have to be smarter when it comes to player safety.

A one or two game suspension for Chara would have sent the same message, but they chose inconsistency once again, and now have to put up with the Montreal circus.

Josh Janet

Josh Janet was raised in Northern New Jersey, but by an odd set of circumstances, is a Philadelphia sports fan. While recently converted to the Phillies, Josh is a diehard Flyers fan and can be expected to stay on top of the latest NHL news.

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paulman
paulman
March 10, 2011 8:36 pm

A nasty hit at a dangerous spot on the ice, as a player you have to anticipate where you are at all times in relation to your opponent and spot on the ice..
Hockey’s a rough sport so I say no to any suspension and wish the injured player a speedy and full receovery..

Erock
Erock
March 11, 2011 9:19 am

When your skating along the boards its a golden rule in hockey you dont turn your back too an opponent.There shoulda been more padding there as well. No suspension….its a contact sport. These sorta things are gonna happen.