Zeiler's hit on Foote...

[tdjb 0]

Not the two most popular teams but I thought I'd for sure see a post about the hit this morning. Only clip I could find was from the highlight reel at tsn: http://watch.tsn.ca/nhl/clip115141#clip115141

Zeiler got a 5/game for the hit.

I think that unlike some of the others this year, this was flat out dirty, nothing borderline about it. Is it just me or does this seem to be a re-occurring theme this season?

[Matt18 1]

i agree that was a Nasty hit

[interpathway 9]

Yikes. Couldn't tell but was that on a possible icing touch up or just a dump? I know the NHL said they were going to crack-down on forwards pasting defencemen into the glass when they are trying to touch up for an icing...

[Chadd 916]

Where are the guys blaming Foote for this one? He knew Zeiler was on his back, yet he stopped in a dangerous position. This is no different than the hit on Bergeron last year and I fully believe the NHL screwed the pooch on that one. It should be at least a month, if not more. It will end up being 2-4 games.

[interpathway 9]

It should be at least a month, if not more. It will end up being 2-4 games.

Just a point of clarification, do you think we should be blaming Foote for putting himself in such a vulnerable position as well as a lengthy suspension for Zeiler?

[Chadd 916]

It should be at least a month, if not more. It will end up being 2-4 games.

Just a point of clarification, do you think we should be blaming Foote for putting himself in such a vulnerable position as well as a lengthy suspension for Zeiler?

No, I don't. I'm just wondering where those people are this time. Every other time there has been a hit like this it seems like a lot of people come out of the woodwork to blame the guy who got hit, I'm just wondering why they were silent on this play. I am being serious though that Foote was in a vulnerable position by his own accord.

[tdjb 0]

I am being serious though that Foote was in a vulnerable position by his own accord.

You think so? I actually thought this was a case where the guy going after the puck didn't do anything to put himself in a bad position, aside from actually playing the puck. I mean if you watch the replay there really isn't another way he can play it off the boards unless he lets Zeiler get there first. From what I saw, it almost looks like he tried to cut back up ice which is right when Zeiler put him head first into the boards.

[Chadd 916]

I am being serious though that Foote was in a vulnerable position by his own accord.

You think so? I actually thought this was a case where the guy going after the puck didn't do anything to put himself in a bad position, aside from actually playing the puck. I mean if you watch the replay there really isn't another way he can play it off the boards unless he lets Zeiler get there first. From what I saw, it almost looks like he tried to cut back up ice which is right when Zeiler put him head first into the boards.

It's no different than most of the other hits from behind, the only way to not get hit is to skate away from the puck. You have to turn your back on the guy to make any kind of play. The only thing Foote could have done to protect himself would have been to stop closer to the boards so he couldn't have gone in at that kind of angle.

[tdjb 0]

he's gone for three games: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=257172&amp...os=secStory_nhl

[mrusse01 0]

It's going to look real bad when some guy breaks his neck on one of these hits, and the mainstream media goes back and realizes the exact same hit has happened dozens of times in the past few seasons, with little or no punishment from the NHL.

[Chadd 916]

It's going to look real bad when some guy breaks his neck on one of these hits, and the mainstream media goes back and realizes the exact same hit has happened dozens of times in the past few seasons, with little or no punishment from the NHL.

You mean like when Orpik broke Cole's neck and only got 3 games for it? Only when it happens to a star or a fan favorite in a major US or Canadian market will something change.

[Fletch 219]

Where are the guys blaming Foote for this one? He knew Zeiler was on his back, yet he stopped in a dangerous position. This is no different than the hit on Bergeron last year and I fully believe the NHL screwed the pooch on that one. It should be at least a month, if not more. It will end up being 2-4 games.

I agree, Chadd. I was at the game and it didn't look dirty in realtime, and seeing it on the replay confirmed it - Foot looked back TWICE, knew Zeiler was coming, yet turned into the hit. I have no idea why a vet like Foote would put himself at risk like that. Also, it is worth mentioning that both officials were not going to call a penalty on the play - it was only after the brawl afterward and conferring with the linesmen that a penalty was called.

[tdjb 0]

Where are the guys blaming Foote for this one? He knew Zeiler was on his back, yet he stopped in a dangerous position. This is no different than the hit on Bergeron last year and I fully believe the NHL screwed the pooch on that one. It should be at least a month, if not more. It will end up being 2-4 games.

I agree, Chadd. I was at the game and it didn't look dirty in realtime, and seeing it on the replay confirmed it - Foot looked back TWICE, knew Zeiler was coming, yet turned into the hit. I have no idea why a vet like Foote would put himself at risk like that. Also, it is worth mentioning that both officials were not going to call a penalty on the play - it was only after the brawl afterward and conferring with the linesmen that a penalty was called.

I don't see it that way at all, he turned to play the puck and Zeiler shoved him into the boards. Of course he looked back behind him and I'm sure he knew Zeiler was there, which is why he played the puck the way he did. Unless he was holding his stick straight up and down there is no way he could have played that puck without having some distance from the boards. Sure, he could have came in and stayed right next to the boards like Chadd said, but that only leaves him one out (around the boards).

One of the first things they teach you in youth hockey is if you can see a guys numbers, don't hit him. Zeiler saw Foote's back for quite a bit before he actually hit him, I don't think this is a case where the D-man turns at the last minute. If anything, right at the end you can see Foote turning up ice and giving Zeiler his side instead of his back. Of course that's just my opinion and I'm also an Av's fan so...

[Fletch 219]

Was he not expecting to be hit at all then? A player that doesn't make that hit is a creampuff.

[tdjb 0]

I'm sure Foote was expecting the hit, he just wasn't expecting a boarding (is that the right way to say that haha?). It's one thing to lay into a guy up against the boards, it's another to do it when he's two feet away with his back to you.

I agree Zeiler should have made that hit, but he should have waited a split second more before he did it. So now the argument is "did he do it intentionally or was it just in the heat of the moment?"

[phunky_monkey 6]

One of the first things they teach you in youth hockey is if you can see a guys numbers, don't hit him.

They also teach you not to skate face first into the boards. Not saying Foote is to blame on this, but he did put himself in a dangerous position in my opinion.

[KingPest19 0]

I'm sure Foote was expecting the hit, he just wasn't expecting a boarding (is that the right way to say that haha?). It's one thing to lay into a guy up against the boards, it's another to do it when he's two feet away with his back to you.

I agree Zeiler should have made that hit, but he should have waited a split second more before he did it. So now the argument is "did he do it intentionally or was it just in the heat of the moment?"

There was no way for him to wait a split second more to make the hit. He was coming in on the gas and at the last second Foote turned. But Zeiler saw numbers the whole way in and should have taken some off the hit. Only thing I dint agree with on the call was the refs waiting till after the fights and everything else had taken place. If youre going to call a guy for a major dont wait for to play the puck and let play go on. Call it right away. 2 weeks in a row that this has happened.

Forecheckers need to start scrubbing some speed in anticipation of these kinds of plays and players witht he puck need to stop making last second stops or turn towards the boards. Give the forechecker some time stop or take a lot of if the player with the puck makes a lasts econd move that puts him in a vulnerable position especially when they know a player is right behind them.

Seems like 3 games is becoming the standard suspenion for boarding calls in most cases. The league is going to have to up that and I can only imagine the outcry from the fans of the team with the first player that gets 5-10 for his first offense.

[phunky_monkey 6]

^^^ I think you're spot on mate, good post.

[mrusse01 0]

It's going to look real bad when some guy breaks his neck on one of these hits, and the mainstream media goes back and realizes the exact same hit has happened dozens of times in the past few seasons, with little or no punishment from the NHL.

You mean like when Orpik broke Cole's neck and only got 3 games for it? Only when it happens to a star or a fan favorite in a major US or Canadian market will something change.

True enough. I meant when someone gets paralyzed from it. And it's a miracle it hasn't already happened.

It's not a difficult situation to fix, someone in the league just needs to get together with the officials and whomever else they have (is that competition committee still floating around?), put together a few videos, and just say to every team, 'we know this is how we called it in the past, but that's over now, and if you hit people like this, suspensions start at 25 games'.

Not that I think this was an especially bad case, but the bar needs to be set higher than 2-3 games, such that even if it is an accident, guys will still think twice about putting themselves in a situation where they can even make that accident.

[tdjb 0]

I'm sure Foote was expecting the hit, he just wasn't expecting a boarding (is that the right way to say that haha?). It's one thing to lay into a guy up against the boards, it's another to do it when he's two feet away with his back to you.

I agree Zeiler should have made that hit, but he should have waited a split second more before he did it. So now the argument is "did he do it intentionally or was it just in the heat of the moment?"

There was no way for him to wait a split second more to make the hit. He was coming in on the gas and at the last second Foote turned. But Zeiler saw numbers the whole way in and should have taken some off the hit. Only thing I dint agree with on the call was the refs waiting till after the fights and everything else had taken place. If youre going to call a guy for a major dont wait for to play the puck and let play go on. Call it right away. 2 weeks in a row that this has happened.

Forecheckers need to start scrubbing some speed in anticipation of these kinds of plays and players witht he puck need to stop making last second stops or turn towards the boards. Give the forechecker some time stop or take a lot of if the player with the puck makes a lasts econd move that puts him in a vulnerable position especially when they know a player is right behind them.

Seems like 3 games is becoming the standard suspenion for boarding calls in most cases. The league is going to have to up that and I can only imagine the outcry from the fans of the team with the first player that gets 5-10 for his first offense.

I don't know man, to me it looks like Foote is alreay in his "final position" by the time he hits the goal line. It's right about then that Zeiler lays into him. The only last second turn I see Foote make is after he's already been pushed by Zeiler.

I understand hockey is a fast sport and during the heat of the moment it's hard to judge things 100%, but if I see a dude with his back towards me and we're going full speed into the corner, I'm going to be a little cautious on making that hit. Yeah, I might end up missing him or not getting a hit at all, but I'd rather deal with that then being the guy who put him in a wheelchair.

[Wolfpack_1986 154]

Foote was stupid for putting himself in a vulnerable position like that, and hoping the guy wouldnt hit him. Stupid rookie mistake.

regardless

Zeiler is a moron for hitting him, he had all day to stop.

[RadioGaGa 162]

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=257172&lid...=headlines_main