Upon seeing this hit two different and opposing thoughts surfaced in the vacant space I call my brain.
- Matt Cooke just may be the dirtiest player in the NHL. Why the hell didn't he let up? He saw nothing but numbers and a nameplate but he went for it anyways. What a goof!
- And, why didn't Fedor Tyutin press his body against the boards like any and every hockey player has been taught to do? If you're against the boards with your back turned, you can NOT leave that much room between you and the boards.
In no way am I blaming Tyutin for this hit, Cooke should have let up, but it's been said that the players must do more to protect themselves. This is a textbook case.
So Cooke gets four games, good. At the same time players must take note that leaving yourself in a vulnerable position is there own responsibility.
As much as I hate seeing a hit like this, you just can't leave yourself open to taking the hit the way Tyutin did. Some players nowadays seem to think that it's a good idea to turn your back so if you get hit, the other team gets a penalty.
ReplyDeleteObviously not every situation is like this, but Tyutin had to know that Matt Cooke was on the ice somewhere, and he turned his head before going to get the puck so I can only assume he knew Cooke was in on the forecheck. Then he put himself in a vulnerable position with one of the dirtiest guys in the league bearing down on him.
That said it's still a dirty hit by a guy who has a history of being a prick and if the NHL wants to send a real message they should have given him more games.