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Lucic to meet with Shanahan

November 13, 2011, 9:13 PM ET [ Comments]
Ty Anderson
Boston Bruins Blogger •Bruins Feature Columnist • RSSArchiveCONTACT
No matter what the situation, the word 'wussification' has become too frequently used in the game of hockey. It appears the phrase may get some more use with the news outta Boston.

Confirmed through multiple outlets, it appears that Boston's Milan Lucic will have a hearing with NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan tomorrow at 1PM to discuss his hit that leveled Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller.



"I just put my head down and tried to get to [the puck] first," the 23-year-old Lucic said after thw win. "Next thing I looked up he was out of his net and it was a collision. So I mean obviously going into a situation like that I’m going to brace myself. And I was going full speed so it was pretty hard for me to put on the brakes."

Penalized on the play by way of a two minute charging call, the call for a meeting with Shanahan comes on the heels of word that the 31-year-old Buffalo netminder suffered a concussion. However, it should be made known that Miller was okay enough to play the next period and a half, stopping 19 of 22, and then seek out reporters to unleash a pottymouthed tirade regarding Boston's hulking winger.

"I thought it was a major," Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said late Saturday night. "If it's open season on goalies, let's get at it."

But here comes the big debate that we're bound to face: Where was the talk of a meeting before Miller's injury? Or where was the talk of a suspension when Brian Gionta's collision with James Reimer left the young Leafs netminder with a concussion? Or when Cam Janssen did the same to Carey Price two seasons ago?



Here's the thing: While Lucic undoubtedly earned a penalty on the hit -- something that can't be disputed -- to say that the hit is anything that requires league involvement is just plain absurd. Miller, who's not exactly Mr. Innocence given his hot temper, came out near the face-off dot at the point of impact. He tried engaging in a race that he wasn't going to win, and instead of going low when he saw Lucic barreling down (a la things I saw old schoolers such as Dom Hasek do time and time again), he went for the impact.

Lucic didn't target the cranium, nor did he try to avoid contact. Something that without question earned a two minute minor. But at what point do you draw the line and put Miller under a microscope for putting himself at risk on the incident?

No word on whether or not Miller will face any disciplinary measurements for his attempted baseball swing at Lucic milliseconds after the hit.
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