Bailey out with facial fractures; Ponikarovsky suspended 2 games
by Dominik on Apr 9, 2010 4:08 PM EDT
in This, That & What-Not
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Alexei Ponikarovsky, the Wheel of Justice spins for thee. The NHL suspended him for the final two games of the season after his hit from behind on Josh Bailey, which ended up not only gashing Bailey's face but breaking facial bones.
Which means no AHL playoffs for Bailey, expected to be out 4-6 weeks. Greg Mauldin, who had already been called up to replace Richard Park, has been "loaned" back to Bridgeport for at least tonight's playoff-relevant AHL game.
I'm numb to Colin Campbell's world by this point, so I wasn't even expecting a suspension. But Ponikarovsky is anonymous enough that I guess he gets one. When Devil Mike Mottau got only two games for elbowing Frans Nielsen in the same season that Islanders Brendan Witt and Thomas Pock got five games for their respective elbows, I threw up my hands and just assumed Campbell's office will just spin the wheel -- a wheel that somehow feels weighted differently when it involves the Isles and select other clubs.
Putting up with the NHL's disciplinary regime is like living under a totalitarian regime (with slightly less serious consequences, of course): You either get numb to it and accept your fate, or you flee altogether. I'm not ready to flee.
But in this case, after suspending Andy Sutton two games earlier this season for a hit from behind on Penguin Pascal Dupuis, the NHL has given Poni an equal suspension. So ... bravo NHL, I guess? You sort of look consistent-ish?
Sure, A Player is Lying Injured on the Ice. Time to Talk about Crosby!
Footage of both hits is after the jump. The contrasting reactions from the Penguins announcers compared to when it was one of theirs getting bloodied is duly noted.
Bad Moments in Broadcasting
Just a poor job by the Penguins broadcast team and production all around during this incident. Awful, really.
For the Sutton hit, they focused on how Sutton should have held up -- which he should have, no argument there, even if it was an in-tight split-second decision. Naturally, the camera focused on the injury and reactions to the injury the entire time Dupuis was being attended to.
Yet on the Ponikarovsky hit, the same announcers talk about Bailey "turning" (really? Poni started several feet away with the numbers in view the whole time) and then quickly move on to wondering -- and chuckling about -- whether Sidney Crosby will win the scoring title. It's like they were kids distracted by balloons. Or adults making out during "Schindler's List."
And the cameras? We hardly see much time of Bailey on the ice -- they actually spend more camera time showing Sidney Crosby talking whining to the refs than they do showing the injured player lying prone on the ice. Nice work.
To be clear, both hits are wrong and should be avoided. But I'll take Bob Errey and Paul Steigerwald's compassionate humanist pleas for cleaner checks more seriously once they pretend to give a damn about other teams' players, too.
Andy Sutton's Hit on Pascal Dupuis: 'Players' numbers are staring them right in the face and yet they still...'
Ponikarovsky's Hit on Bailey: 'He tried to turn ... Ponikarovsky finished him off. ... Oh look! Crosby stats!'
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FSN Pitt
is a joke.
Quick, we hurt someone! SO LET’S PUT UP SEASON POINT TOTALS GRAPHIC! like the time we withheld replay footage this season on a questionable goal….
At least Biron flipped out immediately after the hit. He looked like he would have beat someone if he was still in.
I cannot wait for Rakh-tober.
Biron
I thought he was going to come out on to the ice and kill someone.
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
Biron looking to brawl
If the Isles started to drop the gloves Biron was ready to join in…it looked like he was just waiting for someone else to initiate.
Whether Biron stays or goes
I’ll fondly remember his bearhug/headlock of Kaleta in his first or second game vs. Buffalo…
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
OMG
Or adults making out during “Schindler’s List.”
back in HS they made us go see that movie, and i pulled the old coat on the lap trick with my girlfriend at the time because we were “cold” — classic memory to recall, albeit shameful or disrespectful i guess
NY Islanders Hockey: Where MRI's are addictive
Thing is, you werent adults.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Apr 9, 2010 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions
and also notice a hesitating okposo, unwilling to throw down for a teammate, that’s twice now kyle, first JT, now JB, you sir, are not my choice for next captain, i’m sorry to say
NY Islanders Hockey: Where MRI's are addictive
You could see the wheels turning
He probably needs a guide, or has already been guided such. You could see him thinking about it, you could also see him recognize who it was (“Poni-what? A Russian?”) and see Poni’s submissive “oops” reaction, as if it was obvious this was a dumb-dirty hit, not an intimidate-dirty hit. I’m torn on whether I want him getting an instigator and a game and a washed-out powerplay for the sake of throwing some quasi-NHL punches into a pacifist’s face. Or at least I don’t think that should be the automatic response, not the way the game is legislated now.
But if any time is right, it’s at this point in the season, with this anemic powerplay.
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
How did I know this topic was actually related to the draft?
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
Wasn't it
6-3 or 7-3 at the time? There is never a better time than that to stand up for your teammates. If the other team is going to start to play dirty in spite of a lead? And of course you don’t even have to get that guy, but on the next shift, I want one of their top 3 leveled.
I wonder what the ratio of suspension is based on the participants respective draft order/round? For example if a 5 crushes a 1 or a 2 crushes a 6 and any disparities in time served??? That would be some interesting research, although draft round probably correlates to player type anyway…
looking at the video
Kyle did go over and grab Poni. He could have been more assertive, I suppose. And yeah the Pitt announcers are idiots. Not so much for the talk about Crosby as for the chuckling and yukking while a player is down on the ice after being seriously injured. Fans are pretty much idiots too.
In KO’s defense, that’s not his game. He doesn’t play like that, so I’ll say he’s consistent. I’ve only seen him fired up once, really, last week against someone, I forget who, but it’s not his game to throw down.
Now Trevor Gillies, on the other hand, he will throw down, and I guarantee he’ll get our pound of flesh on Sunday, from someone.
by billymac23 on Apr 9, 2010 4:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I mean, Sim was on the ice too. KO doesn’t need to be the first guy in there. I’m hesitant to go either way on this one, but I mean, Streit probably held an accord before the camera ever got to the pileup and an accordance and treat was signed via Okposo and Crosby and then both sides divvied up center ice.
I cannot wait for Rakh-tober.
I mean, Sim was on the ice too. KO doesn’t need to be the first guy in there.
And you see this happen a lot around the league. You can tell the players have crossed signals, because they know they get the book thrown at them with the instigator. Hunter’s very brief fight with Mottau cost him a major and a misconduct.
As for KO, I think he’s been evolving subtly; he’s getting a little more feisty in post-whistle periods where he thinks someone’s been wronged. But like billymac said, it’s not his game. I’m not sure where his game will end up in this department, but I was wondering the other day, “When do we think KO’s first fight will be?” Because you know it will happen SOME time — it happens to every NHLer — but probably only a handful of times in his career.
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
He might be a lot like Guerin when all is said and done. But he is so crucial to the team because he is one of a handful of true star talent players, that until this team has depth, scoring and defense, I see no reason to lose two guys in one incident (knowing our luck).
I cannot wait for Rakh-tober.
I would make a difference between the two
In Phoenix, the action happened behind his back as he was scoring. Going after Jovo would have hurt the team and cost us the game more than likely at a time when we badly needed wins. This situation was different as we had been eliminated and the game was not really competitive any more. I didn’t see it as I was switching back and forth with other games, but I could make a case for stepping up a lot easier this time.
Been saying this since the JT incident
Kyle needs to grow a pair… and soon. Last time he slightly muted his goal celebration… and completely avoided Tavares. He slid under Bergy that day in my “favorite current Islander” category… he’s under Frans now, and it’s a slippery slope to Bruno.
When he took it on the chin there were several guys (jeez, morency came off the damn bench) to get his back.
In his defense… maybe he is a little gun shy after that… or even worse, still feeling the effects of concussion #1 and not willing to take on concussion #2 (then fully understandable)… but there are 6 guys on the ice… and this is becoming a habit.
NHL 500... Let the Less Filling vs Tastes Great debate begin!
On another note
The Columbus-Detroit game tonight is important. It is the last game of the season for Columbus. If they do not pick up points, we will be picking behind them no matter what we do in the last two games.
they’ve scored PP goals without KO on the ice before… and it was 7-3 at that point, come on, this wasn’t about climbing back into the game with 2 PP goals
NY Islanders Hockey: Where MRI's are addictive
I’m just saying that if one of your guys goes down and you get a huge chunk of powerplay time, the least you can do is score
If only it had been seven minutes long, they so would have totally scored.
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
I believe the Pitt announcers should have a puppet show that they cut away to when one of their players injures another player. This way it will make it easier to understand why their fans believe that they can’t do any wrong. Perhaps then the announcers will have something to talk about as well.
Please let Roloson and Biron be the guest announcers on some Chicago playoff broadcasts...please hockey Gods!
FSN Pitt Opponent Injury Screen
[We apologize for technical difficulties. While we attend to them, please enjoy this list of Great Sidney Crosby’s people’s mission to win scoring race for make benefit glorious franchise of Penguindom.]
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
You know, Stanky, that just ain't funny...
Paul Steigerwald is a joke.
NHL 500... Let the Less Filling vs Tastes Great debate begin!
WOW!
What a great way to win over the sports fans. Hey I have a genius idea. How about we make fun of one of the sports most revered players and continue to laugh about it uncontrollably when they are already put off by the joke. He should be assigned to NASCAR. Let’s see him make fun of #3 the way he did with Hobey Baker. I don’t think he would walk out of there alive.
Please let Roloson and Biron be the guest announcers on some Chicago playoff broadcasts...please hockey Gods!
by metalcoconut on Apr 10, 2010 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions
The “I don’t want to laugh about how he left us, but” … I mean THE WAY he left us. Plane crashes are funny!
So surreal.
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
Jaffe
On the MSG + (Or was it +2) took the time to inform us “Mauldin played for Columbus a few years ago, he has 6 career games, no goals and is a former 7th round pick”
Okay, maybe not. But I’m easily amused.
Remember, this is FSN Pittsburgh aka “We don’t send the league the right footage for Goal reviews”
I wouldn’t mind if Mauldin was back, but I wouldn’t mind seeing a younger guy from Bridgeport get a shot if BP can spare him.
Mauldin Played for Columbus a few years ago, He has six career games.
You know, the Islanders really need to stop doing “Oh he’s fine, he’s just going to be out for the rest of the game as a pre-caution” and then the next morning telling us he’s out 4-6 weeks. I swear they did the same thing with Comeau and MacDonald or Schremp.
Mauldin Played for Columbus a few years ago, He has six career games.
True dat
Their injury disclosure policy remains pretty FUBAR. And Park: “eye injury”?!?! Eye “injuries” are nothing to toy with; an explanation or update would be nice.
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
Speaking of which...
I meant to bring this up before: The team photo was today. I wonder how that worked out for Bailey and Park. That’s frustrating, especially because that’s the final home game giveaway promotion. Gotta love those “wow, these guys weren’t here at the beginning of the year photos.”
I cannot wait for Rakh-tober.
FSN announcers...
They’ve been the worst around the league this season, in my opinion. I watched a few games of the Pens against other teams, too, and they were horrible in those games, as well. Extremely biased, not very educated and not very pleasing to the ear anyway. Yesterday, they also talked a number of times about Hillen taking draws from his knee, even wanted to highlight it with a replay and still didn’t realize it obviously had been “51 Nielsen”…
It was hilarious, how they mixed up the names
The Nielsen-Hillen thing was the worst, although Jackman-Hillen was pretty funny, too. I’m not completely joking when I think they might have knocked back a few celebratory drinks before that game.
And this:
not very pleasing to the ear anyway.…that’s actually what I find most difficult when I listen to them.
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
There's a reason why hits like this happen consistently against this team
And this has been happening for almost more than a decade now. This team rarely ever has a “You’re not going to push around anymore” game. Sometimes it’s not about strategicly fighting or worrying about the two points. Sometimes setting a physical presence and sticking up for eachother MATTER MORE!!!!
In doing so you have to sacrafice short term success for long term success. When Avery refused to fight in the last game against the Islanders, these guys should have picked off every Ranger on their top lines till he agreed to drop em. That’s old time hockey.
Wanna be a cheap shot artist? Fine!! The best players on your team are gonna pay for it. That’s the way it goes. That’s NHL hockey.
Wanna throw a hard hit on the boards? You better make sure it ain’t on the numbers and you better answer for it or Sydney and Malkin are gonna suffer some elbows tonight.
That’s what this team needs to do.
History will be made – Tonelli
I’ve done a few others too, for the whole list its TheWebbard on youtube
Mauldin Played for Columbus a few years ago, He has six career games.
Another fantastic one
Something about these … the backwards effect with the celebration and the Tonelli lug-it lug-it breakaway.
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
Red Wings 3-2 in a SO
So the Isles will be in better position than the Jackets if they lose both of their last two in regulation.
Here's the lay of the land
Columbus has finished with one more point than us, Carolina with two. If we lose both games in reg, we have the pole for a top five pick no matter what. The only other issue then would be what happens between FL and TB in their home and home.
If they split the H & H and both games are regulation, we have the five spot. If one team wins both games or only one game goes past reg, we are sandwiched in between in the four spot. If they split the H & H and both games go past reg, we are in the three spot.
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