GARTH'S CORNER: Bartkowski Cranks Gionta's Head

When you hit someone that way when you are at a huge size advantage you are intending to injure as far as I am concerned. He should definitely sit a few games and not say a word.

It's about time we turn this tank around! At least we didn't gain any points on Edmonton

In my opinion, Bartkowski deserves a 5 game suspension for targeting Gionta's head. The hit was late, it targeted the head and caused injury
- garth

How exactly was the "hit late"??? If Gionta catches the pass like he should have, the hit would have been timed perfectly. It was a half second after Gionta missed the pass. You are wrong again Garth!

One thing is for sure, Gionta was in a vulnerable spot.

How exactly was the "hit late"??? If Gionta catches the pass like he should have, the hit would have been timed perfectly. It was a half second after Gionta missed the pass. You are wrong again Garth!
- howie feltersnatch

Exactly. It was a good read but poorly executed. It is a dangerous hit and I expect 3 game suspension

Exactly. It was a good read but poorly executed. It is a dangerous hit and I expect 3 game suspension
- Glatt-iator

I hate the Bruins with a fiery passion, and even I have to agree with you.
High? Yes. (Although with Gionta, that's not hard. He didn't rise up into it and follow through much..I've seen much worse.)
Vulnerable? Yes.
Late? Ummm...notsomuch.
Sorry, Garth. I know any illegal hit on anyone from your team is cause for a lifetime suspension with you, but you're a bit off.

I hate the Bruins with a fiery passion, and even I have to agree with you.
High? Yes. (Although with Gionta, that's not hard. He didn't rise up into it and follow through much..I've seen much worse.)
Vulnerable? Yes.
Late? Ummm...notsomuch.
Sorry, Garth. I know any illegal hit on anyone from your team is cause for a lifetime suspension with you, but you're a bit off.
- Darksyde

pretty much this, NHL is trying to get rid of head shots, this was one. I don't see a 5 gamer, but believe he gets 2, not repeat offender here and don't see the malicious intent, but still the act deserves some punishment.

I hate the Bruins with a fiery passion, and even I have to agree with you.
High? Yes. (Although with Gionta, that's not hard. He didn't rise up into it and follow through much..I've seen much worse.)
Vulnerable? Yes.
Late? Ummm...notsomuch.
Sorry, Garth. I know any illegal hit on anyone from your team is cause for a lifetime suspension with you, but you're a bit off.
- Darksyde

A bit?

Garth will ignore your cries for semantics. It was a poop hit and he'll get a suspension. There ya go.

TROLOLOL

Boston. Typical, eh Garth... All you need now is your Tinfoil hat and scream to the rooftops about Gregory Campbell's daddy

This is a suspension hit, no need for the hit, he did not even touch the puck, to throw your shoulder into the hit, knowing this, come on. When we start losing star players cause of injury, long term, like Crosby before, they will be more strict, but they don't care until it happens to a poster player for the NHL. There is playing hard and this, playing to injure. Please get this out of the game, I hate it in the past when Kaleta did it, thought his suspensions were good, if not weak. Get this out of the game, I want to see talent play hockey, cause those kind of plays I want to re-watch later, not this crap.

No suspension, what a shocker but then again, it's the Bruins.

No suspension, what a shocker but then again, it's the Bruins.
- SABRES 89

Tin foil hat is in the mail, good sir

Tin foil hat is in the mail, good sir
- MrBeanTown

Cheapest team in the NHL, the Bruins. Bettman won't upset Jacobs so no suspension.

Cheapest team in the NHL, the Bruins. Bettman won't upset Jacobs so no suspension.
- SABRES 89

Refer to previous comment, good sir.

And ps... Bettman doesn't do suspensions

Garth,

I enjoy reading your articles and getting updated on whats going on in Buffalo and around the league.

However, i must disagree with you on something in this article. Yes, no doubt in my mind that Bartkowski deserves a meeting the the Department of Player Safety and should have received a 2-3 game suspension.

On the Seidenberg hit, while it was a dangerous hit, can you actually tell me that it was a malicious hit that Seidenberg made on purpose? You've been covering the Sabres for a long time and because they are in the same division, have been following the Bruins also. This is the first time in my memory that Seidenberg has ever had any question of being suspended for a play. He plays the game the right way in my opinion. He respects the game and works hard to keep it that way. While I'm not saying that a phone call hearing shouldn't have happened, and possibly a fine, but viewing a guy like Seidenberg to intentionally deliver a hit like that with that result is unwarranted.

Refer to previous comment, good sir.

And ps... Bettman doesn't do suspensions
- MrBeanTown

Never said he did but, he sucks up to your owner as he always has.

Marcus Foligno should get the supplemental discipline for that "pass" he gave Gionta.

Refer to previous comment, good sir.

And ps... Bettman doesn't do suspensions
- MrBeanTown

Bettman doesn't do anything but bend over and open his mouth, and not at the same time!

Bettman doesn't do anything but bend over and open his mouth, and not at the same time!
- powerenforcer

he doesn't like a bitta DP?

he doesn't like a bitta DP?
- MrBeanTown

Only with David Stern.

Only with David Stern.
- powerenforcer

link?

Asking for a friend

link?

Asking for a friend
- MrBeanTown

right! Sicko!

Seidenberg hit and Bartkowski hit are not comparable. Seidenberg hit was dangerous, but not really dirty. More unfortunate -- and I'm a Hawks fan saying this. I thought refs and league got it right, in that it was a penalty with no suspension.

I view Bartkowski hit as follows:
In Bartkowski's defense: it's not late (if Gionta catches pass), elbow is tucked, first point of contact is Bartkowski's shoulder, Bartkowski has no priors.
Against Bartkowski: first point of contact is Gionta's head, Gionta is in vulnerable position.

Conclusion: Bartkowski should have and was suspended for the rest of the game. No further suspension, but the play goes on Bartkowski's record.

Hope Gionta gets back quickly, as I have always liked him as a player.