Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Kostopolous: Yet Another Dirty Hit

The Montreal Canadiens Tom Kostopolous pile-drove the Maple Leafs Mike Van Ryn into the boards over the weekend...

Once again, the issue of dirty/not dirty/chippy play comes to the fore in the NHL...

If you look below ((or to the right- thanks Citynews.ca)), Van Ryn's head is clearly driven into the plexi by Kostopolous. The look on the Habs player's face, as he is being escorted away for the evening, is priceless...

"What did I do...?" clearly is being asked to the official...
((HT: CBC Sports/the youtube))



What was done was the following- according to CBC Sports...

"The NHL determined that Tom Kostopoulos's check from behind against Toronto defenceman Mike Van Ryn was worthy of three games in the press box for the Montreal Canadiens forward.
Kostopoulos was assessed a five-minute boarding penalty and game misconduct after ramming the Maple Leafs blue-liner while the latter retrieved the puck in the corner during Saturday's 6-3 Canadiens loss in Toronto.

"While it is my determination that Kostopoulos did not deliver a check to an unsuspecting opponent, his actions caused injuries," NHL vice-president Colin Campbell said in a statement."

Van Ryn remained on the ice for several minutes after sustaining a concussion, broken nose and broken bone in his hand. He will miss several weeks of action.
But the question remains: Can a defenseman do his job with the back to the play, or should a forechecking player have the forethought to lay off if he notices someone isn't looking his way...?
What say ya'll...??

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