It's a clean hit, but it kinda goes against the code. It's why fighting is still in the game. You're supposed to be ready to drop the loves after jumping a guy like that.
If there is head contact, it's a major and a game misconduct (I know that illegal check to the head carrries a minor or match penalty, but the IIHF rule book allows for a 5+GM for anyone who recklessly endangers an opponent by checking to the head, and this is better than the NHL rule book. The match penalty has actually been removed from the IIHF rule book.) as he elevates the shoulder towards the head and he's still cutting in front of the body of the opponent, the replay at 0:10 shows that. After checking the replay at 0:18 multiple times, I've concluded that there is head contact.
Shoulder to the chin. Did not try to play the puck. It’s stupid, really… He had the option to keep the puck in the zone, which is good regardless of where they are in their shift.
Although Skinner did hit him straight on, this was a bit of a blindside, and to make it worse, he does raise his shoulder through contact into Misiak's chin. It's clearly head contact. I guess if you're the NHL you're debating whether the head was the PRINCIPAL point of contact, and it does look like he hits head first, then chest. That's not a clean hit. It should be a two game suspension (by the NHL's standard).
4 Comments
It's a clean hit, but it kinda goes against the code. It's why fighting is still in the game. You're supposed to be ready to drop the loves after jumping a guy like that.
If there is head contact, it's a major and a game misconduct (I know that illegal check to the head carrries a minor or match penalty, but the IIHF rule book allows for a 5+GM for anyone who recklessly endangers an opponent by checking to the head, and this is better than the NHL rule book. The match penalty has actually been removed from the IIHF rule book.) as he elevates the shoulder towards the head and he's still cutting in front of the body of the opponent, the replay at 0:10 shows that. After checking the replay at 0:18 multiple times, I've concluded that there is head contact.
Shoulder to the chin. Did not try to play the puck. It’s stupid, really… He had the option to keep the puck in the zone, which is good regardless of where they are in their shift.
Although Skinner did hit him straight on, this was a bit of a blindside, and to make it worse, he does raise his shoulder through contact into Misiak's chin. It's clearly head contact. I guess if you're the NHL you're debating whether the head was the PRINCIPAL point of contact, and it does look like he hits head first, then chest. That's not a clean hit. It should be a two game suspension (by the NHL's standard).