size is not a factor

head down is only a factor if it's immediately before the hit, he had his head down well before contact
- flyerscup2011

The head down isn't the issue. The turn Voracek makes immediately before contact is what leaves him especially vulnerable. It's also why there's no suspension. The head being down isn't the main factor.

The head down isn't the issue. The turn Voracek makes immediately before contact is what leaves him especially vulnerable. It's also why there's no suspension. The head being down isn't the main factor.
- Jsaquella

there NO turn he was skating directly north south

Perhaps it's the NHL's time to "keep their head up."


Perhaps its time you quit watching hockey and start watching a sport more your type; like ballet or maybe curling. It was a good clean hockey hit. Period!! Idiots like you making dumb@ss comments about the good hits in hockey are going to wreck the game, so get real!!

Perhaps it's the NHL's time to "keep their head up."


Perhaps its time you quit watching hockey and start watching a sport more your type; like ballet or maybe curling. It was a good clean hockey hit. Period!! Idiots like you making dumb@ss comments about the good hits in hockey are going to wreck the game, so get real!!
- extroy

maybe you'd care if you had a team worth watching

No but they are vociferously complaining that his opinion on what happen to himself is wrong.
- MBFlyerfan

Well, holding a differing opinion from his is one thing, a thing people are allowed to do. Your post, however, suggests people are getting indignant that he has one. I've not seen this, so I don't really understand what you've been getting at.

Kromwall is one of the dirtiest players in the league with that exact play. He tried it a couple of times earlier in the game and missed. Head contact aside, it's actually technically a 'clean' hit. The thing that makes it dirty though is every defenseman that plays hockey at an organized level can execute this hit regularly but they choose not to. The only skill involved in a hit like that is baiting the winger on the breakout into thinking he's backing up and then zooming in to connect just as the player gets the puck and has barely had a chance to turn forward. This isn't an example of "gee Voracek needs to keep his head up on that play" - Voracek has no chance on the play - just the way Kromwall has designed it. He does this hit time and time again. Ask yourself why is it that Kromwall is the only defenseman consistently making this play? Is he just that above and beyond the skill level of all of the other defensemen in the league to be able to execute it? Kromwall shows absolutely zero respect to the players of the game and to the game itself when he consistently makes these types of plays, see Havlat, Martin. Taking the instigator rule out would help deter these types of plays.
- Pixote Andolini

Havlat was looking at the puck, in his feet when he got hit... you do realize that right?. Using your logic, you technically should never throw a hit. A hit is designed to seperate man from puck.

The other thing, is not every defenceman can execute this hit because it takes a combination of reading a play, mobility and timing... If they could, Im sure more would.

In fact,
this hit resulted in a direct scoring chance for the Wings if you watch more of the play than focusing on Voracek on the ice, like many did.

I think the major issue should be why was the game not stopped. I hate the Flyers with all my heart but the whistle should have blown right after the hit and the guy's arms lifted in the air. No need for medicial staff to be delayed or to continue play that might put the player in more danger than he already was.

Hard hit - not illegal - stupid officiating.
- Peca27

I agree with this.

I also think that if a player wants to launch himself at people like that, then he better be ready to drop the gloves. Disappoints me that a Flyer player didn't make him stand up for his actions after the play.

I agree with this.

I also think that if a player wants to launch himself at people like that, then he better be ready to drop the gloves. Disappoints me that a Flyer player didn't make him stand up for his actions after the play.
- HockeyDog

where was the "launch"?... Kronwall simply turned, to throw a hit.... furthermore why drop the gloves?

Thats the problem with today's NHL... fighting over clean hits isnt protecting teammates, cripes when they became a hockey player they signed up for bumps, bruises and scrapes.

Fighting after clean hits does NOT intimidate anyone in a league full of visors and guys who dont fight.

Unfortunate as the result may be, and regardless of what bi-law you were able to apply, the fact of the matter is Vocaek had his head down and Kronwall shouldered him cleanly. Any head trauma was as an after effect of the hit, not the intent or initial contact point.

Play on..

He not only isn't watching, but he's leading with his head to gather the puck, which was in his feet. If that isn't putting yourself in a dangerous position then i don't know what is.

Even if Kronwall stands still, he still gets his head because of the way he was skating. If you look at the end of the video, it seems like Kronwall tries to avoid his head (even though he had no chance). That's why by the end of the hit, Kronwall's back is to Voracek.

Clean hit and I loved every minute of it

maybe you'd care if you had a team worth watching
- 2Real

Clean hit. Loved it. Voracek should have known who was on the ice. Kronwall has only made that play about 2 dozen times in his career. Wish it was Simmonds. Maybe next time.

Clean hit. Loved it. Voracek should have known who was on the ice. Kronwall has only made that play about 2 dozen times in his career. Wish it was Simmonds. Maybe next time.
- kaleta36

don't worry Simmonds will end Stafford's career and we'll see who loves it

He not only isn't watching, but he's leading with his head to gather the puck, which was in his feet. If that isn't putting yourself in a dangerous position then i don't know what is.

Even if Kronwall stands still, he still gets his head because of the way he was skating. If you look at the end of the video, it seems like Kronwall tries to avoid his head (even though he had no chance). That's why by the end of the hit, Kronwall's back is to Voracek.

Clean hit and I loved every minute of it
- MasWE

Agreed...fantastic hit. I wish all players knew how to hit technically and cleanly like Kronwall.

When Rinaldo was called for 2 minutes, did he launch himself? Upon further review, he touched the other player. The kind of touch wouldn't hurt an infant, but was malicious. The intent to touch was beyond obvious, and a clear unsportslike was rightfully called.

If aliens came to earth and were trying to learn hockey, it would be tough explaining why the unsportsmanlike touch was a penalty and the assassination attempt was not. You would simply have to teach the aliens the concept of refs being a$$h0les.

You guys can claim its a clean check all you want but the fact of the matter is that this only a clean hit in the old nhl. The new nhl says shots to the head are illegal so even though he didnt elbow him in the head, the fact that he make direct contact with his head makes it illegal and cheap. But suprise suprise that douchebag shanny wont dare fine 99% of his old team in the Wings. Its a joke. Bet you if Cooke or Carcillo or someone like that did this its 10 games easy.

You guys can claim its a clean check all you want but the fact of the matter is that this only a clean hit in the old nhl. The new nhl says shots to the head are illegal so even though he didnt elbow him in the head, the fact that he make direct contact with his head makes it illegal and cheap. But suprise suprise that douchebag shanny wont dare fine 99% of his old team in the Wings. Its a joke. Bet you if Cooke or Carcillo or someone like that did this its 10 games easy.
- HawksGuySince85

You also gotta love how Kronwall is such a b**ch that everytime he does hit someone and gets challenged his gloves are glued on. That kind of crap is gonna lead to players not excepting his no i dont wanna fight crap and hes gonna get drilled in the face whether he drops his gloves or not.

don't worry Simmonds will end Stafford's career and we'll see who loves it
- 2Real

I would love stafford to be sidelined....please wayne???

Agreed...fantastic hit. I wish all players knew how to hit technically and cleanly like Kronwall.
- keatondixon

Very clean hit..

You also gotta love how Kronwall is such a b**ch that everytime he does hit someone and gets challenged his gloves are glued on. That kind of crap is gonna lead to players not excepting his no i dont wanna fight crap and hes gonna get drilled in the face whether he drops his gloves or not.
- HawksGuySince85

So a guy who hits also has to fight??? He's a defenseman.. and a very good one at that. He doesnt need to fight everytime he delivers a good hit

You also gotta love how Kronwall is such a b**ch that everytime he does hit someone and gets challenged his gloves are glued on. That kind of crap is gonna lead to players not excepting his no i dont wanna fight crap and hes gonna get drilled in the face whether he drops his gloves or not.
- HawksGuySince85

No it won't happen. He's 31. He's damn near a vet in this league. He's been making those hits for years. Not one player has retaliated and taken a cheap shot at him because of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-SMjhK0YMU
http://www.youtube.com/wa...4aH7nnPjc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XiTS8NjNao

I bet you'd rationalize all of these hits, yet still cry about Kronwall.

2real is still in here crying over this hit?

No it won't happen. He's 31. He's damn near a vet in this league. He's been making those hits for years. Not one player has retaliated and taken a cheap shot at him because of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-SMjhK0YMU
http://www.youtube.com/wa...4aH7nnPjc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XiTS8NjNao

I bet you'd rationalize all of these hits, yet still cry about Kronwall.
- snipesydangle

yea it seems like Hjalmarsson gloves were glued on there huh?

2real is still in here crying over this hit?



- theblueandgold

you get over drury yet?

No it won't happen. He's 31. He's damn near a vet in this league. He's been making those hits for years. Not one player has retaliated and taken a cheap shot at him because of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-SMjhK0YMU
http://www.youtube.com/wa...4aH7nnPjc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XiTS8NjNao

I bet you'd rationalize all of these hits, yet still cry about Kronwall.
- snipesydangle

so he's a repeat offender got it

you get over drury yet?
- 2Real

Campbell's hit on Umberger was the remedy. Good clean hard hockey hit. Umberger lights out, just like the Flyers playoffs that year.