The Hit Heard 'Round The Crease

Milan Lucic argued it wasn't intentional.

Ryan Miller would disagree.

Lucic's bodycheck on Miller, Brendan Shanahan believes, was "nothing egregious."

Miller, sitting at home with a big headache, would disagree. Given that egregious is defined as "conspicuously bad," and that I haven't seen a goalie nailed like that in years, it's worth wondering what would be an egregious hit on an NHL goalie.

That Shanahan, the NHL's hanging judge, ultimately saw the weekend incident all Lucic's way and not Miller's is, really, the latest example of a process that began 12 years ago when Brett Hull had a toe in the crease and they counted his Stanley Cup winning goal anyway.

Against the Sabres, by the way.

Back then, that toe was controversial because all season the league had enforced a philosophy in which the blue paint was there for the goalie and the goalie only, and any interloper was to be sanctioned. It was too hard to call consistently, and too many goals that were viewed as good hockey plays were wiped out on itsy-bitsy infractions.

The Hull goal, approved that weird night in Buffalo by a phantom memo similar to last year's "hitting zone" memo that allowed Raffi Torres to skate unpunished after a head shot on Brent Seabrook, was the beginning of the end for the toe-in-the-crease philosophy.

That the crease wasn't there for only the goalies really picked up steam two seasons after the 2004-05 lockout when the league began to notice scoring was slipping again after the first season following the work stoppage included all kinds of offensive fireworks largely because of new rules and an enforcement on hooking and interference fouls. Teams adjusted defensively, and rather than do something radical (and logical) like expand the size of the nets to fit the much larger modern goalie, the NHL quietly started allowing more contact in the crease. The goalies suddenly were required to deal with a great deal more interference and body contact, often trying to play the position with enemy attackers standing in the middle of the crease.

That philosophy - such an immense departure from the toe-in-the-crease days - has hit a crescendo this season with more contact on goalies than has been seen in the history of the sport. Goalies are now seen as often without their masks as with, which is good, perhaps, for the marketing end of things if you want to get a closer look at these fellows' faces, but also an indication of how often they're being hit and hit hard.

Concussions suffered this season by two high-profile NHL goalies - Miller because he's outstanding, James Reimer because any goalie who tends goal for the Maple Leafs, good or bad, is by definition high-profile - is the result of the philosophy that goalies are not to be protected. Reimer was elbowed in the head by Brian Gionta, who was assessed only an interference penalty. The league was basically silent on that one. Lucic just hit Miller like he would any player on the ice, and while he received a minor penalty, the B's were more than rewarded for the hulking winger's decision to hit Miller when the Buffalo goalie had to leave the game.

That sets up a nice scenario next week in Buffalo when Boston's goalie, whether it's Tim Thomas or Tukka Rask, will undoubtedly get run and a brawl will ensue. The NHL doesn't mind this stuff. Sells tickets, as will that game between Washington and Pittsburgh in early December will at least partially because it will be the first between the two clubs since Arron Asham's most unfortunate mocking of a concussed Jay Beagle after a fight.

But with respect to goalies, the NHL is walking an intriguing line, here. It clearly doesn't view netminders as equivalent to football quarterbacks and thus in need of special protection. Rather, it views the ability of NHL forwards to create chaos in the blue paint as integral to the sport, although it's interesting that a decade ago under the very same Bettman administration goalies were protected in a very different way.

Coaches are again proving to be more successful at producing choking defence than creative offence, as proven vividly by the embarrassing display by the Tampa Bay Lightning last week, and the NHL undoubtedly worries that doing more to allow men to stop the puck without being battered will only further reduce scoring. Moreover, it seems to believes goalies are far more replaceable than No. 1 goalies, and maybe they have a point. Jhonas Enroth may have inadvertently demonstrated that Monday night in Montreal, and the the ups and downs of goalies in recent years has some convinced that the days of star goalies able to dominate the position for years are over.

That's another debate, however.

On Lucic, he deserved the penalty, and probably at least a fine from the NHL. He deliberately ran over Miller, and it's surprising Shanahan saw it so differently. That Lucic then essentially taunted the Sabres, saying the Bruins would never stand for such an insult to their goalie, will help produce fireworks next week that NHL.com will gleefully both promote and then feature on its website.

But in it's "war" against concussions, the league seems to have excluded goalies from the endangered list. Right now, given the Reimer and Miller incidents/injuries, you'd have to argue there's evidence that taking a run at the other guy's goalie is more than worth it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[jj]

Damien, I always thought that when goalies were out of the crease, they were fair game like any other player. The other team generally just didn't go after the open goalies (but they could if they wanted). Based on your column, is that not correct?

[billy]

Eskimos coach Kavis Reed on the hit on Esks running back Jerome Messem, which knocked Messem out of the game:

"To make a tackle on a big guy [Messam weighs 245 pounds, Morley weighs 195] you gotta go low. It’s absolutely, 100 per cent [not dirty]. It’s a football play. If we cry wolf about it, we’d be culpable, too.”

Miller gets hurt as him and Lucic charge for a loose puck. Because Lucic is 50 pounds heavier. It was a hockey play. Yet people whine and moan because Miller got hurt?
Gee, obviously now that the CFL is the last mans game we have left in this country

[hoofheartz]

Apparently Miller was so concussed he didn't realize he took a swing at Lucic with his stick. I suppose the only way there would have been outrage at this is if Miller had connected.

[Darryl]

It's why the league is such a joke. Under Bettman the rules are the rules, unless they aren't. No consistency, no imagination (unless it's how to prevent a failed franchise from being sold to someone they don't like), and no integrity. Gone are the days when hockey was a real joy to watch without the distraction of the stupidity on and off the ice.

[Ron]

Gee Damien, another huge surprise from the cave dwellers at the NHL. Shanahan starts to show some common sense in protecting players and gets submarined by the GM's and owners who need this sort of thing to sell tickets. So I guess losing the best player in hockey coming awfelly close to a year and concussions on a pace to reach anorher year of 80-90 doesn't seem to phase the group that can't see the forest for the trees. I wonder if these same brain surgeons have realied that they have empty seats because some of the best players in the game are in a quiet room somewhere.I watched the interview with Shanahan on TSN last night and he did not look that comfortable in his explanation of why steamrolling Miller was OK!!

[Guelphdad]

Just another reason to keep money in my pocket and watch something else on TV.

[Chris M]

Why does a goalie have to come out the net that far to play the puck? You could create a semi-circle around the net to limit the goalie's ability to handle the puck outside that area. (Just like behind the net) You could have automatic suspensions for even contacting a goalie. Overkill?

Miller seen Lucic coming hard and took a risk that he might have a collision. Miller needs to assess his risk and take some responsibility for what happened too. This was not a blind side hit or hit from behind. Miller gambled and paid a price. What happens if goalies determine they want to play forward? They can't be checked at all? This is a collision sport and both players played aggressive and one got hurt. If I seen that moster skating at me I would try to stop the shot and not take a hit. He was wearing the equipment for the shot and not prepared for the contact. Miller needed to be smarter.

[Mike From Toronto]

Damien, with all due respect. The hit on Miller was unfortunate but if he goes down to smother the puck, Lucic is launched. It looked like Miller was trying to "take him on" to a certain extent. The other problem is their masks flying off. After the youngster in BC getting killed, I think they should be paying more attention to keeping the lid on.
Lastly, unless Gionta has an elbow between the numbers on his back, there was no elbow to Reimer's head. Contact sure, but no elbow.
Hockey being a fast game things are going to happen. I can see both sides of the Lucic debate it is not as cut and dried as Miller and Sabres would like to believe.

[jSlides]

If the goalie goes out of the net to play the puck like a forward or a defensemen, he should be able to be hit like a forward or a defensemen.

Your analogy about the quarterback is wrong. They are only protected after the throw. If a quarterback decides to keep the ball and run himself, he is fair game. If you watch football you will see the quarterback go down on his own after he gets the yardage he needs.

If Miller had braced himself for the hit, he would be fine. It is the thought of I'm a goalie and can go play the puck and protect it with my body and no one can touch me mentality that caused this injury.

[Peter]

Well written, Damien. However I think you got one thing wrong. This has nothing to do with protecting the goalie in the blue paint. They will always call an interference penalry and disallow a goal if the player is touching the goalie in the blue paint. That was my reaction tot he Hull goal as well. He was nowhere near the Buffalo goalie so to me, it was a good goal.
I don't think it's right to let them hit the goalies inside or outside the blue paint. It's just not fair, they are not equipped to take hits.

[Patricia Landry]

Goalies are not equipped to take hits like the players are. Lucic could have held up and should have known better. He should apologize and admit that what he did was stupid. You don't take runs at goalies, period. Make a rule change so that it is a suspendible offence. A better mask needs to be designed that provides better protection for the back of the head while still deflecting the full force of a shot to the mask.

[blackcatbone]

What was troubling about the Reimer hit, was the lack of retaliation from the Leafs, He was hit twice in the first period and nothing was done.

[snacker]

This doesn't make any sense...goalies are usually in a vulnerable position, especially when trying to stop a puck (more vulnerable than a quarterback even, who knows that he's going to get hit if he isn't quick enough). A goalie on the other hand is often on his knees or down low and totally unprepared for any contact. The Reimer play by Gionta was dirty...I don't care who you are, an elbow to the head of a goalie as you skate, while he's engaged in trying to make a save is a dirty play. Lucic following through and belting Miller (a world class goalie and division rival) is also a a very dirty play. If players are supposed to let up on hitting players in vulnerable positions, then why shouldn't Lucic have to avoid hammering a goalie? Goalies aren't allowed to get hit anywhere on the ice - it was a blatant penalty and should have been a suspension if only to send a message that you cannot hammer another team's goalie!!

[Julien Savoie]

Big difference in the Lucic hit compared to Gionta.
Gionta hit a defenseless opponent with his elbow in the back of the head

Lucic was on a breakaway attempt, Miller skated to make a play on the puck and became an eligible defender once he touched the puck. If you are 6'2'' and only weigh 175, expect some damage when receiving a body check from a 6'3'' 225+ lbs forward. There's no headshot, no elbow hits, no penalty should have been called.

[Rob]

The Miller and Reimer hits are two totally different scenarios. Reimer is in his crease and gets hit, Miller skates out to play the puck and gets hit. If Miller stays in his net he does not get hit and Lucic has a breakaway and the chance to score. Miller also has the chance to make the save. The If the goalie comes out of his crease he is no longer is his "safe zone".

[Mark]

Does no one else notice that following the collision Miller drops his stick, then quickly picks it up and baseball swings it at Lucic. I believe Millers actions are much worse then anything Lucic did on the play.

[jusweazin]

I am shocked at the outrage over this Miller hit. Lucic I agree intentionally ran into Miller but also did not do anything dirty. If it had been any player he would have delivered a more forceful blow. The hit was absolutley legimate and no where near being dirty, and lets not forget lucic is probably 40-50 lbs heaveir than Miller. Not only that but Miller came 3/4's of the way to the blue line to deny lucic a break away. If you are going to leave the crease or the trapezoid which was implemented for goalies to handle the puck what do you expect. Miller made an exceptionally aggressive play for a goalie and then expects to be treated as if he was making a routine play and acts like someone barrelled into the crease. If a goalie decides to play the puck like a defenceman then I am curious as to why he wouldnt be treated like one? that would not have even been a 2 minute minor if it was on a defenceman.

Meanwhile in the playoffs Tim Thomas now has a highlight that will undoubtably be replayed for years when he laid a body check (arms up and near someones head) in the playoffs last year and its celebrated by the leauge. If goalies are allowed to hit why should they be allowed to run all over the ice playing the puck with no repercussions

The Reimer play (yes I'm a biased leaf fan) I believe was 100% a suspension. Gionta rasied his elbow and delievered a head shot that should have been called against anyone delivering the blow against a goaltender or any other positional player. Reimer was on the edge of the crease making a standard play from a goaltender.

[Braco]

Shanahan is worse then Campbell!NHL is garbage! Few summers ago GM decided that goalies ar "UNTOUCHABLE".Now we have decision like this!!No wonder people are not watching this junk!!

[David Cosgrove]

Perhaps today's goalies should take a lesson on protecting themselves from hall of famer Billy Smith. Players thought twice about skating through his crease.

[Bob Holden]

I have just about given up on the NHL going big league, and protecting its' greatest assets, its' players. A big league would enforce the rules they have rather than manage them like some kind of totalitarian despot. If the goalie was concussed on an illegal play, it would seem to be suspendable.

[Sanj]

Excellent point on James Reimer. The way they talk about James Reimer here in Toronto, you would think he is Patrick Roy!

[Bob]

Miller was free to be checked like any other player since he was playing the puck outside of his crease. Whether the hit itself was clean or dirty is a different issue than him being hit at all. He's protected inside the crease, but once he leaves it, he's fair game to be hit if he has the puck. Reimer, on the other hand, was in his crease when he got run over. Big difference between the two incidents.

[Teacherjim]

There are a few differences between the hits on Reimer and Miller. Reimer was hit in the head, seemingly accidentally, in a situation where he had made a save near the crease and the puck was going out of the zone. Reimer was unaware of the player and was caught blindsided.

When Miller was hit he had played the puck at the face off circle. Lucic was in pursuit of the puck totally visible to Miller. Contact was made with Miller's body, not his head. I know about the whiplash effect and concussions, I do not deny that he could be concussed.

The NHL rule book states:....

69.4 Contact Outside the Goal Crease -
A goalkeeper is not “fair game” just because he is outside the goal crease. The appropriate penalty should be assessed in every case where an attacking player makes unnecessary contact with the goalkeeper. However, incidental contact will be permitted when the goalkeeper is in the act of playing the puck outside his goal crease provided the attacking player has made a reasonable effort to avoid such unnecessary contact.

Lucic was assessed a charging penalty. He did not make a reasonable effort to avoid contact. Whether it was deliberate, only Lucic knows, we can only speculate. Watch the video and you will see Miller raising his elbow to the anticipated contact.

I think that if a goalie is 30 feet from his crease playing the puck, aware of the situation in front of him, he needs to take some responsibility. It is different than being contacted near your crease or hit on your blindside.

[David]

The new era of stricter justice reminds me of a sporting equivalent of an OPP/RIDE crackdown on Labour Day weekends. A lot of noise, a few trumped-up charges, an overly rigid campaign lasting a few days, then business as usual on the highways come Tuesday morning.

Welcome back to the working week, NHL fans.

[Janus]

You didn't think Chara deserved a suspension for trying to put Max Pacioretty permanently in a wheel chair, why would you think that Lucic should get a suspension for deliberately running over Ryan Miller?