GARTH'S CORNER: Ristolainen Hearing Bogus

You're right. All he did was injure a player with an illegal hit. Idiot.

Nice homer article.

I'm pretty sure O'Reilly didn't miss a stride. It's too bad Guentzel might not be back this season. Seeing the league "loves" concussions there will be some time served. 2 Games probably.

nothing to say about Crosby's d-bag groin spear? Shocking

For the amount of crap that Crosby has had to deal with during his career, I'm happy when he returns the favor on occasion. Good on him. He's no angel, that label was placed on him by jealous fans of other NHL franchises, so opponents should be aware of him when he's on the ice.

I think the Dept of Player "Safety" is going to rule that the penalties issued during the game were sufficient and they will not suspend Ristolainen.

and I would agree with that.

But Crosby's cheap shot was okay... what a joke hope someone takes his head off in the playoffs

Yes. I'm okay with it. I'm not sure O'Reilly is okay with it. Big whoop.

As I stated, "For the amount of crap that he's dealt with during his career" ... one cheap shot by Crosby still puts him behind in the cheap shot count about 150-to-10.

Welcome to the NHL. If guys feel they can get away with a cheap shot, then so be it. Why must Crosby be singled out. He's a player. A really good one.

There must be a flood in your area with all your

The only bogus thing around here is the writer of this article!

Is he really 6'4" 220lbs?! Would have fooled me.

You'd be calling for executions if the same thing happened to Eichel.

His back was turned and the puck was coming.... he doesn't deserve any blame!!!!

but but but but Crosby


(frank) right off, Ristolainen engaged in a reckless hit and the onus is on him for the result.

I have never disliked a professional athlete more than I hate Crosby. However, I do not understand how that scumbags shot to O'Reilly's man sack has anything to do with the hit delivered by Risto.

The result of the play was a concussion. This should be taken seriously. If the NHL department of player safety gave a crap about the players they would take it seriously as well. We all know that whatever they determine will not make the situation better, or prevent it from happening again.

Moral of this story is to not hit people in the head. Risto should have whacked him in the groin with his stick. Apparently, that is not a penalty, and will not cause a concussion.

hit was worthy of the game misconduct -- i'm not sure of extra games because of the misconduct already, but wouldn't be surprised to see 2-3, and also wouldn't be upset with 2-3.

He destroyed a guy who was nowhere near the puck. Yes the puck was on its way to the guy, but it never got there. He committed too early, I doubt he could have pulled up any because he was already committed, but the fact is he committed to early and clearly destroyed a guy nowhere near the puck is why the play needs to be reviewed. Doesn't matter if the guys head is down, he didn't have the puck so is not eligible to be checked.

also the fact that Crosby took a cheap shot at ROR has nothing to do with this hit. Just because he hit him and got away with it (in the game) doesn't mean that it's ok and the opposing team can just do what it wants.

I think Crosby should be fined (no suspension). That was dirty and cheap, but it happens. You want it out of the game but there will always be dbags who take advantage when they can. The ref's missed it - oh well, but the league should step in and say its not acceptable and fine him.

OK...neutral fan here. Ristolainen needs some better technique -- he was freaking backwards when he hit Guentzler. The Game Misconduct was the appropriate call for the moment. Should there be more? Well, I hate punishing the result, but the league is serious about concussions and so maybe a short suspension -- another game? -- would help reinforce some better technique. Maybe if he's going sideways or forward he can see that the puck doesn't get to Guentzler and maybe try to get out of the way.

(That said, the Penguins color guy was over the top about how "brutal, brutal" the hit was. It was more unfortunate than vicious, and the kid had his head down.).

As to Crosby, he should be better than that. He's a phenomenal player but he should leave the Keith Acton/Matt Barnaby/Esa Tikkanen crap to the players of that talent level. It belittles him.

He anticipated the puck coming, but it was deflected away, Risto should have pulled up when this happened, and he didn't.. He will deserve what ever suspension he gets.

He anticipated the puck coming, but it was deflected away, Risto should have pulled up when this happened, and he didn't.. He will deserve what ever suspension he gets.
- dean98setter

Accurate assessment.

It's so accurate I feel obliged to retract my earlier comment about the Sabres. They actually have some good players.

Apparently Garth thinks Buf can do no wrong and Pit can do no right. Laughable

Apparently Garth thinks Buf can do no wrong and Pit can do no right. Laughable
- DeflatedPucks

Yeah, he is the "Mike Milbury" of hockeybuzz bloggers.

Comparing Ristolainen's hit to Crosby's is ridiculous. Yes, Crosby's stickwork was dirty and deserved a 2 minute slashing penalty. O'Reilly was back in a few shifts. He may have had a sore groin the rest of the night but is probably ok today. Guentzel may be out the rest of the season (even the playoffs) with a concussion. The fact that he tried to get up to get off the ice but fell down again may even indicate a serious concussion (just a guess but certainly possible).

Too bad the rookie is going to miss some time. Risto deserved the game misconduct as the opposing player was injured. However, with no repeat offender status, no targeting of the head (he was turned) and the fact that the puck was coming up the wall...probably that's the end of it.

Guentzel had his head down, if the puck gets through he's getting lit up on a clean hit. Didn't happen that way though so the "onus" does fall on Risto. I still think people are discounting the fact that it was a retaliation to Crosby's cup check, but that stuff happens all the time. Classless act, but still not shocking.

Hope the kid bounces back by playoff time.

Hearing? What a joke. No malicious intent. No head hunting. Arms and elbows were down. Puck got held up which make the hit a penalty. Worthy of a game misconduct? Not in the slightest. If the play goes as planned it's a bang, bang clean hit. The rook had his head down. Lesson learned.

How many times have we seen hits from behind that are very malicious that go unpenalized?

In the end, the reaction is the result of the injury. If the kid bounced back up, no hearing. Simple as that! The NHL does a very poor job of being proactive and is very poor at being consistent with their discipline.

Don't get your jorts in a knot Garf... it's not like the Sabres are going anywhere this year.

You are right Garth. Crosby should get suspended after that sick display of skill to score the one handed backhand

Don't get your jorts in a knot Garf... it's not like the Sabres are going anywhere this year.
- poopstash

Oh come on now, standings shouldn't dictate penalties. Should be fair for all. Sure you agree, but couldn't tell from the above.

Not sure how you avoid being suspended when you obliterate a player without the puck and ends up concussed.

as far as Cindy goes...he did cheap shot O'Reilly but he paid with his teeth so it's a wash