The Washington Capitals are all set to take on the NY Rangers tonight at the Verizon Center in a game where its hockey fans are encouraged to 'Rock the Red' in hopes of cheering the home team on to Game 7 victory! (The series is tied 3-3).
As you know, the Caps beat the Rangers in Game 5 (4-0), and in Game 6 (5-3) forcing the Rangers back to DC for a 'Rock-the-Red', go all out, Game 7... but without their forward, Donald Brashear.
Brashear was suspended for 6 games - for two separate incidents.
It seems Brashear initiated contact with Rangers forward Colton Orr during a pre-game warm-up, and the tallying continued when Brashear was suspended for five games this week for a blind-side hit in the first period on Blair Betts, the Rangers' forward.
Is the move unprecedented? Has Brashear been the only Caps player who ever initiated contact, or hurt another player this season? I'm just asking. Not saying it's right, but I'm just asking.
I've always called hockey the only sports where its players can legally fight (almost every night) and not get penalized each time out. Hockey players look like Rockem Sockem Robots out there. (If you don't remember the 1970s Mattel toy, here's a visual).
Man, those players are slammin' each other, ramming each other, come away with nose bleeds and all kinds of injuries by the opposing team (in most cases).
In the NBA, or NFL, (or any other non-boxing sport) you get served if you make a wrong remark to the ref, initiate a fight, participate in a fight, or even wipe your shoes in celebratory fashion.
I've always wondered how hockey gets away with allowing their players to continue to fight. I've got my hunches, but I'm not goin' there - at least not today.
And while Brashear got a six-game suspension, which when initially announced, many (including myself) thought was a bit steep (as did Caps' coach, Boudreau) it begs the question...Isn't it what hockey players do?
Whether or not you think the sidelining of Brashear for 6 games is fair, or not, one thing must be said.
Win Caps!
As you know, the Caps beat the Rangers in Game 5 (4-0), and in Game 6 (5-3) forcing the Rangers back to DC for a 'Rock-the-Red', go all out, Game 7... but without their forward, Donald Brashear.
Brashear was suspended for 6 games - for two separate incidents.
It seems Brashear initiated contact with Rangers forward Colton Orr during a pre-game warm-up, and the tallying continued when Brashear was suspended for five games this week for a blind-side hit in the first period on Blair Betts, the Rangers' forward.
Is the move unprecedented? Has Brashear been the only Caps player who ever initiated contact, or hurt another player this season? I'm just asking. Not saying it's right, but I'm just asking.
I've always called hockey the only sports where its players can legally fight (almost every night) and not get penalized each time out. Hockey players look like Rockem Sockem Robots out there. (If you don't remember the 1970s Mattel toy, here's a visual).
Man, those players are slammin' each other, ramming each other, come away with nose bleeds and all kinds of injuries by the opposing team (in most cases).In the NBA, or NFL, (or any other non-boxing sport) you get served if you make a wrong remark to the ref, initiate a fight, participate in a fight, or even wipe your shoes in celebratory fashion.
I've always wondered how hockey gets away with allowing their players to continue to fight. I've got my hunches, but I'm not goin' there - at least not today.
And while Brashear got a six-game suspension, which when initially announced, many (including myself) thought was a bit steep (as did Caps' coach, Boudreau) it begs the question...Isn't it what hockey players do?
"I'm upset -- disappointed is a better word," Boudreau said. "I can't figure it out and I don't think it's best for me to comment on that. It is what it is. As long as [the standard] is the same [for everyone], I guess that's what they're going for. We didn't think it would go that high, and we're disappointed in it, but what are you going to do?"To be fair, I did a little research. Take a look at the comparisons of other player punishments - through the years - here. Seems a few players have gotten worse.
Whether or not you think the sidelining of Brashear for 6 games is fair, or not, one thing must be said.
Win Caps!
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