Winning and Not Winning

The objective is to win the hockey game.

Sometimes, that gets lost amidst the emotions and the agendas and the beliefs that no matter what, the game must be played a certain way under certain philosphies.

So there will be those who believe Toronto captain Dion Phaneuf's decision to fight Nick Foligno of the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday after Foligno illegally low-bridged Phaneuf earlier in the game was the right thing to do. The honorable thing to do. To many, such as my Sportsnet colleague Nick Kypreos, the thing you must do.

And you'll never convince those people otherwise.

Similarly, there will be those who believe that having your captain and best defenceman engage in a tough, fatiguing fistfight in the middle of a hardfought hockey game is a waste of that player's energies and abilities.

And you'll never convince those people otherwise.

In this case, Foligno's hit wasn't dirty; he's not that kind of player, and we know his dad sure wasn't. It was simply illegal, and he was sent to the penalty box for that hit early in the second period of the Leafs-Sens game.

About seven minutes later, with the Leafs winning the game 2-1, Phaneuf challenged Foligno to fight in a bid to avenge his honor, and Foligno obliged, winning a decision that ended with the Leaf captain's jersey pulled over his head.

Phaneuf picked up the extra minor, as he should have, and the Leafs killed off the penalty. Shortly after that, however, Jason Spezza tied the game on a goal that should have been waved off for goalie interference but wasn't, and then in the third Kyle Turris won the game with a short-side goal that James Reimer should have stopped.

To sum up, Phaneuf's decision might have been the right one for him. I wouldn't characterize it as selfish, per se, because it's a hockey credo he obviously believes in. His boss, Brian Burke, believes in "self-policing" and undoubtedly applauded the decision.

But it took Phaneuf out of the contest for seven minutes at a time when the Leafs were up by a goal, he didn't play noticeably well afterwards and the Leafs lost a game with potential playoff implications.

And the objective, folks, is to win the game. At least to some it is.

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Steve]

The lack luster play by Dion after the fight probably had more to do with being banged up by a dirty hit but a guy who seems to like to do those sorts of things. I agree with the posters that pointed out there is no difference between his hit and Marchants except Marchant is short.

The refs call on the second goal was unbelievable. You can not be sitting on a goalie in the crease and call it a goal.

The leafs needed to go to the dirty areas last night and run Anderson a few times but they wouldn't. That was the issue with the game.

[James]

Forget everything. Ottawa is in year 1 of a rebuild and was picked to finish dead last this year. Toronto is in year 4-5????
Get rid of Burke and Wilson, bring in some management with good experience. The damn team Burke won a cup with in 07 was built by Bryan Murray for pete's sakes.

[Dave]

Should Phaneuf fight? I am in the middle.... once in a while and last night seemed like a good time to do it.

Foligno hit dirty? - yes

Should Phaneuf get two extra minutes - no way...... for what??????

Good night for Reimer? the other guy stood on his head, but hearing Reimer talk about not playing so deep all the time, and then seeing last night's performance, gave me hope that he is returning to last year's form.

[Richie]

Damien, why didn't you get into it more with Kypreos last night? Why drag this into a column when you had the argument right there on the air last night?

I agree with you. I think this was a turning point in the game. No question it came down to this incident. Kypreos' stance was 'that's the way the game is played...' and he was right there for the taking.

[GoFord]

Foligno not a dirty player? Cox which world you live in?

[moe green]

When a player feels he has to fight after what was essentially a clean hit - I think it's gutless. Dirty hit - another matter. The fight accomplished nothing and certainly didn't contribute to a two-point night for the Leafs. The Phaneuf fight was what spoiled kids do when they don't like something.

[O'Malley]

I agree, dumb move and terrible timing by Phaneuf.

[gerry]

LOL Omg you Leaf fans are hilarious-- Phaneuf got fed in his fight with Foligno. The only reason he actually fought for himself this time is because he didn't think Foligno was an accomplished fighter. Guess what Dion.. Nicky can throw. If any of you noticed the down ice view .. Foligno got 7 or 8 good shots in and Phaneuf maybe 2-3 and ended the fight with jersey over his head. That was an awesome way for him to finish.. embarassing- hide your face Dion. Also notice Wilson's coaching record posted on screen with Leafs last 4 years? Pathetic but his good buddy Burkie extends his contract -priceless !LOL . Miss the playoffs yet again :)

[moe green]

Truculence? How about "win-ulence." This team needs a defensive system capable of protecting a two-goal lead. Without it - this team is going nowhere. Truculence? I guess. I'd prefer a tight defensive system. Hell, I'd settle for a system.

[Chad]

Damo, never mind Phaneuff being in the box for 7 minutes at a crucial time. the team survived it. how abput we discuss other things....such as where was the goalie interference call when Spezza was more or less sitting on Reimer's head? or why does Reimer go down in the butterfly position when the puck is shot up in the top corner?
don't point at Phaneuff. he's not the reason we lost that game.

[Jeff]

Yup Damien, Dion should not fight these 'pukes', it is up to Rosehill & Brown to settle these incidents. Dion was not the same after the scuffle. Anderson was spectacular, Reimer was average in facing very few shots on net. The refs decided this game when they allowed the kicked in goal to stand. Kypreos is a loud mouth and should be released from the set. His rants are getting boring!

[James]

I disagree with everything that was said. If Phaneuf deserved the extra two, what about all the other non calls that were made, especially in the later half of the 3rd period.

Also who cares what kind of player Foligno's father was? He isn't his father and he'd probably tell you the same.

Foligno's purpose in that hit was no doubt in my mind an attempt to injury as part of a filthy Sen's team. It was low, it was late, and it was premeditated.

[JMAC]

I normally agree with you, but Foligno's hit was a cheap shot that ends careers. Having watched him since junor, he definitely is "that kind of player". He certainly is not his father who had some class.

[Matt B]

Bang on, Damien.

I love how people argue how good a move it was for Dion to fight, yet ignore the crux of your argument — he was off the ice for 7 minutes at a crucial time of the game. If he took a major for any other infraction he would be pillared here for selfishness. When it involves a fight many hockey fans forget that fighting IS illegal in the game.

[Ron]

So let me see...Burke and all the other knuckle draggers want a tough guy in the lineup to protect the star players of which apparently Dion is and wasn't Mike Brown in the lineup.....and how come he didn't take up the cause?? This crap that Kypreos and the rest of his ilk expose is just that, crap....those days are over. Maybe Brian should find some draft picks that can play and fight and that might help. There are a lot of guys in the league that can play and take care of themselves, save a few, so for all the cave dwellers.....get over it!!!!

[Sean D]

Foligno's hit was not dirty. I have seen Dion make the same hip check dozens of times. The reason Phaneuf flew through the air is because he left his feet on his own. If he takes the hit like a man instead of the swan dive act, there is no penalty.

[Braco]

Phaneuf is same like his manager, very succesfull in achiving nothing for salary of 7mill per year!!

[neil]

I agree with your assessment - having your top defenceman in the box for 5:00 (much less 7:00) in the middle of a tight game against one of your biggest rivals just isn't smart hockey.

Just wondering, was it your intention to spell it "honor" or was that an error?

[Geoff Read]

Jimmy - I've never understood the logic to the "Kypreos was an enforcer" argument. So what? You have to have been an enforcer in the NHL to have an opinion about whether or not what Phaneuf did was a smart move? You might not agree with Damien but I bet he watches a hell of a lot more hockey than you do.

On the other hand, you have inadvertently offered an explanation for Kypreos' illogical blathering: he got hit in the head a lot.

[Mark Ascione]

Did not read the responses, and not sure if anyone pointed it out, but in Kerry Fraser's opinion, the officials made 2 significantly bad calls that could effectively wipe out Damien's opinions here.

a) Fraser felt "an additional minor penalty for roughing that was assessed to Phaneuf was an overreaction on the part of the referee and unnecessary" (from tsn.ca)

b) Spezza's goal should have been waved off. "Since Jason Spezza made contact with James Reimer inside the blue paint and then remained in contact straddling Reimer's pads, any goal that resulted should have been disallowed through incidental contact. No goal - no penalty to Spezza" (from tsn.ca)

It could be very fair to say that Phaneuf's decision to engage Foligno had little to do with Ottawa's ability to come back.

[Lisa]

Well,Mr.Cox:it is hard to agree or disagree with you this time. Since the face of the captain have not totally went back to form....one of his team mates should fight instead....then when you look at them...WHAT are they ??? Senators attack at J.R.'s net all night....What did the LEAFS do/response ? Keep firing shoots to opposite net is not the ONLY way to win game.The way I judged Leafs lost last night.....THANKS to BOTH head coach and goalie coach !!!

[hoofheartz]

Geoff, you may remember Jimmy better as the ostrich_lover. He was never right as that alter ego, just as he is never right as his other alter ego, TheFonze.

[Telling it like it is]

Darryl Sittler was one of Leafs best captains and had some highlight reel scraps yet still led the team in points just about every year in the late-seventies. Dion Phaneuf did what he had to do and I applaud him. As for the Sens 2nd goal.... should have been NO GOAL. Total goalie interference.