Alex Ovechkin’s third ejection of the season is sure to get a look from the NHL later today. How can it not after earlier incidents with Tim Gleason (Carolina), Rich Peverley (Atlanta) and Patrick Kaleta (Buffalo)? This one happened during Sunday’s game against the Blackhawks. At 12 minutes, 16 seconds of the first period Ovechkin was chasing Chicago defenseman Brian Campbell. He caught him at the goal line and shoved Campbell, who landed hard against the end boards on his right shoulder. It was a clear boarding call. But Ovechkin earned a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct. Was it fair? So much of this is subjective. Caps coach Bruce Boudreau was calmer after the game – though exploded at referees Dan O’Halloran and Frederick L’Ecuyer and linesmen Steve Barton and Steve Miller as Ovechkin headed to the dressing room. But Boudreau made it clear he thought Campbell was turning and it wasn’t a direct hit from behind. That’s also Boudreau’s job – to stand up for his star player.
Ovechkin was apologetic, but didn’t think he pushed Campbell that hard. Of course, one of Ovechkin’s problems in these situations is he doesn’t always respect his own strength. Brian Campbell is about 35 pounds lighter. The laws of physics do apply here and, according to the Chicago Tribune, sources say Campbell is expected to miss the rest of the regular season with a broken collarbone. ESPN added that Campbell has broken ribs, too. Chicago coach Joel Quenneville called it “a dangerous hit.” Blackhawks forward – and team captain – Jonathan Toews said players need to have more respect for each other. Defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson said Ovechkin should be suspended.
Everyone I just quoted has their own agenda, obviously. The only person whose opinion really matters is Colin Campbell, the NHL’s senior executive vice president of hockey operations. Here are Toews’ thoughts, courtesy of the Tribune, and then Boudreau’s, courtesy of Caps senior writer Mike Vogel. Following those quotes are the NHL’s rules on boarding. Will make some calls today and get word of any suspension. Caps are already in Sunrise, Fla. for tomorrow’s 7:30 p.m. game against the Panthers.
“So much of that stuff going on now, it’s pretty frustrating that the players don’t take a stand against something like that and say we have to respect ourselves a little bit more and know it’s not all about the flashy hit,” Toews said. “You’ve got to know when there’s a dangerous situation where you could really hurt somebody, and be smart about it.”
“I thought it was a push from the side,” said Boudreau. “You could see his numbers. But it wasn’t a dead-on [hit] to the boards. Campbell was turning, I thought. Alex didn’t extend his arms. He pushed him. I don’t even think he was off balance, but sometimes you don’t realize how strong Alex is. And he went into the boards. I hope he’s okay. I didn’t think it was a bad check. I didn’t think it was worth five [minutes for boarding] and a game [misconduct]. But I don’t make the calls.”
NHL Network’s Dave Reid didn’t see an intent to injure, but said Ovechkin “had to pull up” on a play like that and called it a dangerous play. NBC analysts Mike Milbury and Pierre McGuire both thought the game misconduct was an overreaction by officials. ESPN hockey writer Scott Burnside penned a quick column arguing against any suspension. Again, Campbell has the final say so we’ll see. Right now, Ovechkin has 96 points despite missing eight games (six to injury, two to suspension). He leads Vancouver’s Henrik Sedin by three points for the overall NHL points lead and with 44 goals is one behind Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby.
Rule 42 – Boarding
42.1 Boarding – A boarding penalty shall be imposed on any player or goalkeeper who checks an opponent in such a manner that causes the opponent to be thrown violently in the boards. The severity of the penalty, based upon the degree of violence of the impact with the boards, shall be at the discretion of the Referee. There is an enormous amount of judgment involved in the application of this rule by the Referees. The onus is on the player (or goalkeeper) applying the check to ensure his opponent is not in a vulnerable position and if so, he must avoid the contact. However, there is also a responsibility on the player with the puck to avoid placing himself in a dangerous and vulnerable position. This balance must be considered by the Referees when applying this rule.
42.3 Major Penalty – The Referee, at his discretion, may assess a major penalty, based on the degree of violence of the impact with the boards, to a player or goalkeeper guilty of boarding an opponent (see 42.5).
42.5 Game Misconduct Penalty – When a major penalty is imposed under this rule for a foul resulting in an injury to the face or head of an opponent, a game misconduct shall be imposed.
23.5 Fines and Suspensions – Stick Infractions, Boarding and Checking from Behind Category – In regular League games, any player or goalkeeper who incurs a total of two (2) game misconduct penalties for stick-related infractions, Boarding – Rule 42, or Checking from Behind – Rule 44, shall be suspended automatically for the next League game of his team. For each subsequent game misconduct penalty, the automatic suspension shall be increased by one game….When a player or goalkeeper has played in 41 consecutive regular League games without being assessed a boarding and/or a checking from behind major and a game misconduct according to Rules 42 and 44, he will have the previous game misconduct penalties removed from his current record. They will remain part of his historical record.
