Since yesterday when reports surfaced that the Montreal Police will be investigating the body check that Zdeno Chara administered to Max Pacioretty in Tuesday nights match up I have just been fuming! Even more so today in the wake of the unfortunate incidents in Japan. For once Montreal, let's think of someone other than yourselves. I want to start my rant with saying I am okay with this hit. It is a hockey play that as Gary Bettman said this hit "was part of the game" or as Vancouver Canucks assistant coach said "this play would have happened 10 years ago". The fact that it was a hockey play and that the stanchion is in play makes this hit less sever than perhaps a Matt Cooke on Marc Savard or even the Erskin hit on Crosby in the winter classic. Hockey is a fast pace game and a play of this nature is bound to occur once and a while. The end result is unfortunate and it's never easy to see a player get hurt, especially with a broken neck, but my dark side finds it easier to accept because he plays for Montreal. Since the hit occurred Montreal residence have been up in arms, just furious, feeling like Chara had committed murder! They have inundated the NHL head offices with letters and phone calls demanding action, the only thing they haven't done is called in the army. If this hit had been delivered by a Montreal Canadian, most likely P.K. Subban, on a player from the Bruins lets say Patrice Bergeron, it would have been the best hit in the history of the game and a new Quebec holiday would be implemented and statues all over the city would be erected. No one likes to see their player get hurt, but hockey is hockey. It's physical, fast paced and injuries of all nature will happen, some worse than others. The reaction of the fans it a bit much though. In 1993 we got robbed of a trip to the Stanley Cup Final when Wayne Gretzky slashed Doug Gilmore in game six of the conference final and instead of being penalized went on to score the goal that tied the game and Los Angeles eventually went on to win the game and the series. Were Toronto fans pissed, sure we were, but did we inundate the NHL offices with phone calls and letters, NO! We sucked it up and moved on with life. Montreal you should do that same! Chara isn't being suspended or fined, so get over it! And I don't even want to get into the debate about who is a bigger hockey market, because Toronto is going to win that battle 9 out of 10 times. Plus that isn't what this is about. This is about the mentality that the universe revolves around all that is Montreal and the fact that they can't admit that the Chara hit was a hockey play. Reaction around the NHL has been mixed but for the most part despite the unfortunate result of the hit, players and managers, coaches and owners can recognize that it is a hockey play, resulting from two players in a fast pace game trying to gain puck possession. I'm not hear to defend Chara, even though as I have said I don't see the play as "dirty", my beef is with the fans of the Montreal Canadians. There have been facebook groups started, demonstrations planned for next Tuesdays game and reports of fans calling 911 asking for Chara to be arrested. Then we have the possible criminal investigation, which is a whole other can of worms. The police have no business involving themselves in a professional environment. These players go into every game with the knowledge that they are risk of injury and when something happens and an injury occurs it's part of their job. The hit had it been two inches to the right may not have caused any injury! The hit resulted in a job related injury, don't call the cops, call workman's comp Pacioretty! But you won't have to do that because you make millions of dollars. The fact that Montreal fans are going to have a demonstration or "rally" during the next home game to send a message to the NHL, well who is that really going to effect? Will it effect the team? Will it effect fans trying to watch the game live? Will it ultimately effect the game itself? Perhaps, before you think about your demonstration you should think about a small child, who this is going to be his or her first NHL game. Going to watch their hero's the Montreal Canadians for the first time ever. All day the excitement builds, they can't wait to see their favorite player hit the ice...or a stanchion (BOOM!). But all that is ruined because the fans around them have large banners with harsh words for the NHL, or because fans around them are so enraged that they are continuously on their feet starting chants and blocking this young fans view. Then it happens. Someone will get annoyed and one fight will begin, then another and next thing you know, riot! It'll move from the arena into the streets and then really what good have you done? This whole event has already effect the team, they lost last night to the St. Louis Blues 4 - 1, and in the midst of a playoff race I think the team needs to put this whole situation behind them and focus on hockey, but that is just for my logical stand point. I honestly hope that they implode and miss the playoffs, that would be a happy ending to this story...for me.
Dear Montreal Fans,
You've had a hockey team since 1909. This isn't the first, nor will it be the last time you encounter a controversial play and it won't be the last. But pull your heads out of your asses and realized that hockey happens. Players get hurt. Injuries happen. Stop your bitching and moaning and accept the decisions laid before you. You are acting like murder has been committed, but the verdict that the NHL handed down was one of fairness and careful consideration. Suck it up you babies!
Va sucer un oeuf vous grenouilles sale!!!!
Dear P.K. Subban,
I do not like you and I now refer to having to take a dump as saying "I have to take a P.K." and it has nothing to do with your skin colour as much as it is that I think you're a piece of s....
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