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Should Kozlov’s Hit Cost Him?

October 21, 2009, 9:15 AM ET [ Comments]

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First off, I wanna give great credit to young Ondrej Pavelec…who’s outstanding play between the pipes help to secure another point in the standings for the Thrashers. He stopped 27 of the 28 shots he faced in regulation as well as all 7 launched on him in overtime, most of which came while Atlanta was killing off a 4 on 3 power play for the last 2:35 of that extra time.

The reason Atlanta was a man down for so long was because veteran forward Slava Kozlov was given a game misconduct for the fierce boarding of Scott Gomez halfway through OT. Gomez sat for two minutes himself for his reaction to the hit, turning while on the ice and having a go at Kozlov.

Truth be told…much as I love Slava…Gomez’s actions were completely justified in my opinion. Plays like that can result in serious injury. For an example, we need look no further than what happened to teammate Tobias Enstrom while at the World Championship last spring as a vicious hit into the boards sent him to the hospital with multiple facial fractures.

Now, Kozlov is not a “dirty” player…but last night’s penalty could possibly cost him more than just the ability to play in the second half of the OT as well as display his skill in the shootout…I would not at all be surprised to learn today that the league will make him sit out Thursday’s game against division-leading Washington and get an invoice for his actions as well.

I certainly would expect a fine and suspension had the offence been committed against a Thrasher by an opposing player.

Hockey is a rough game in which hard hits and dangerous contact happen during the normal course of play. Violent collisions occur regularly and it’s a part of the game that helps make it the exciting, action-pack sport that it is. Tough, physical play can be employed to help your team gain an edge and power teams to victory.

But, it can be done within the confines to the rules and the normal code of conduct…see also the massive hit dished out by Colby Armstrong on Montreal’s Marc-Andre Bergeron that left the defenseman wobbly. It was a clean and effective check…and I was glad to see Bergeron return to play afterwards.

But a hit from behind that shoves a player in hot pursuit of the puck into the boards is uncalled for…and deserves disciplinary action of some sort, in my opinion.
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