GDT: #23 – Sabres at Rangers – Sun Mar 3 – 7:30PM ET – TV: MSG-B – Radio: WGR-AM

[S319R11S16]

You should read some of the "journalists" tweets on the situation. It's disgusting that they get paid to write about hockey, yet they can't even describe a situation correctly.

Particularly these two gems from Mark Spector (GOTTA LOVE SPORTSNET):

"Patrick Kaleta is a dangerous, irresponsible player. Has been for years. Game doesn't need him. Be a better place without him"

"Kaleta has a "bad rep" 'cause he's been hitting from behind for ages. He's Raffi Torres, but from behind."

I know more about Kaleta as a hockey player, and probably hockey for that matter and I'm an unemployed university student.

Did Kaleta jump drop kick someone with a skate to the face or something?

He's had a few bad hits, but some of these comments are absurd.

 

[Capslock17]

I'm far from a kaleta supporter, but that wasnt really that bad. Kaleta nudged Richards while he was simultaneously just starting to reach and lean forward for the puck, making him lose all balance

 

[SackTastic]

5/10/game was the right call on Kaleta's hit. Should have been the exact same call on the Ennis hit in OT.

 

[Bardof425*]

I'm far from a kaleta supporter, but that wasnt really that bad. Kaleta nudged Richards while he was simultaneously just starting to reach and lean forward for the puck, making him lose all balance

Which is the most dangerous thing you can do when someone is five feet from the boards. Reading through this thread is really embarrassing for Sabre fans. He likely had a stinger or had the wind knocked out of him. Ever been kicked in the balls? what's hurts more than that? Then magically, five minutes later you are ok. Let it go. It was a dirty play and he should pay a price.

 

[Bardof425*]

5/10/game was the right call on Kaleta's hit. Should have been the exact same call on the Ennis hit in OT.

Uh, no. Ennis turned at the last second and Girardi hit him. If Ennis wasn't the size of a third grader it would have been a hit to the back and there would be nothing to talk about. It should have been a boarding call, but nothing more.

 

[SackTastic]

Uh, no. Ennis turned at the last second and Girardi hit him. If Ennis wasn't the size of a third grader it would have been a hit to the back and there would be nothing to talk about. It should have been a boarding call, but nothing more.

1. Ennis' size has nothing to do with it.
2. Ennis didn't turn to create a penalty. He turned to play the puck that was at his feet.

Both hits were reckless, although Kaleta's was probably more so because of where Richards was. Either way, hits from behind like that should always be 5/10/game. They have no place in hockey.

 

[Grahn]

To me the call on Kaleta was correct, It's a, although soft, bad hit which catches Richards of guard. I don't think there should be a suspension but suspect he will get one because of his name.

 

[whiplash]

Just saw Kaleta's hit. Stupid play but his name is the only thing garnering any attention from this. If you can derive malice from that, you make no sense to me. Even if Claude Lemiuex did that I wouldn't see any intent because he barely even touched the dude. Richards didn't flop or fake anything but as Chain has brought up, he was insanely light on his feet for a professional hockey player.

 

[PlamsUnlimited]

As you all know I like Buffalo too so don't rip my head off.
Sabres played really well with a high energy. Good things have to come of it. Powerplay needs work...
As for some bad hits: Kaleta is gonna get suspended for his name. He didn't have intent to hurt Richards. It was a dumb cross check though. Wish it didn't happen because if you all recall I like Kaleta. However whoever says that Richards dove and acted... Stop. He isn't Kovalev. He isn't Crosby. You don't fake smacking your head/bending neck on the boards...
Good game guys. See you at FNC march 12

 

[RazielMoshman]

Just saw Kaleta's hit. Stupid play but his name is the only thing garnering any attention from this. If you can derive malice from that, you make no sense to me. Even if Claude Lemiuex did that I wouldn't see any intent because he barely even touched the dude. Richards didn't flop or fake anything but as Chain has brought up, he was insanely light on his feet for a professional hockey player.

While true Kalata isn't through of as another Claude, his thought of as another Matt Cooke/Sean Avery. Hence the attention, his got a rep as a cheap shotting player, and it's not entirely undeserved. His better now but the fact he used to be like that means that rep will never go away, rightly or wrongly.

Remember when he headbutted Voracek? I saw a lot of people complaining until Shanny posted the video highlighting about 4 other instances of him headbutting people.

 

[BowieSabresFan]

As you all know I like Buffalo too so don't rip my head off.
Sabres played really well with a high energy. Good things have to come of it. Powerplay needs work...
As for some bad hits: Kaleta is gonna get suspended for his name. He didn't have intent to hurt Richards. It was a dumb cross check though. Wish it didn't happen because if you all recall I like Kaleta. However whoever says that Richards dove and acted... Stop. He isn't Kovalev. He isn't Crosby. You don't fake smacking your head/bending neck on the boards...
Good game guys. See you at FNC march 12

I agree for the most part on this. I would also add though, that Richards put himself in an awkward position which also did not help matters any.

 

[PlamsUnlimited]

Yeah Richards was in a strange way. But it's over and done with now. Hope it isn't a goon fest next week

 

[TankLarkin]

Richards was two inches away from a broken neck.

 

[BowieSabresFan]

Richards was two inches away from a broken neck.

Umm, so was Ennis?

 

[RazielMoshman]

Umm, so was Ennis?

The Ennis his wasn't as bad by any means, but it wasn't a good hit either, deserved a 2 minute minor for sure.

 

[S319R11S16]

Richards was two inches away from a broken neck.

How exactly do you measure that out of curiosity?

 

[S319R11S16]

The Ennis his wasn't as bad by any means, but it wasn't a good hit either, deserved a 2 minute minor for sure.

Still 2 inches away from a broken neck.

 

[BowieSabresFan]

The Ennis his wasn't as bad by any means, but it wasn't a good hit either, deserved a 2 minute minor for sure.

The Ennis hit was not much less of a danger than the hit on Richards.

Besides, you missed the point.

 

[brian_griffin]

Richards was two inches away from a broken neck.

(1) That's speculation, and (2) the length of Richard's penis is immaterial to the play/penalty/potential injury.

 

[cybresabre]

Richards was two inches away from a broken neck.

And another two inches away he would have missed completely! /mighty ducks

 

[S319R11S16]

And another two inches away he would have missed completely! /mighty ducks

Never thought of it that way / Mighty Ducks

 

[Chainshot]

Kaleta got 2-games for hitting someone who turned right as he made contact -- Jones in Philly. The difference being of course that Ennis is still able to play, but the guy's gotten rocked almost every game in the last week.

 

[vcv]

Kaleta got 2-games for hitting someone who turned right as he made contact -- Jones in Philly. The difference being of course that Ennis is still able to play, but the guy's gotten rocked almost every game in the last week.

I think it was Ross.

I remember people being livid about that hit when it happened. Looking back, Kaleta was already committed when Ross turned. The biggest issue is he drove through completely and didn't try to roll off at all. But it's still on Ross.

 

[cramdizzl]

Kaleta got 2-games for hitting someone who turned right as he made contact -- Jones in Philly. The difference being of course that Ennis is still able to play, but the guy's gotten rocked almost every game in the last week.

Yeah I'm extremely impressed with Ennis' durability, he gets hammered all the time and plays 19 minutes a game at Tennis Ball speed. That being said...

I think this whole thing is a joke, and Kaleta knows that, which is why he kept quiet, while Baby Brad and Grampa John whine about it, like it was malicious intent. Give me a break, this sport is just becoming watered down with all this nonsense.

 

[Chainshot]

I think it was Ross.

I remember people being livid about that hit when it happened. Looking back, Kaleta was already committed when Ross turned. The biggest issue is he drove through completely and didn't try to roll off at all. But it's still on Ross.

I stand corrected, it was Ross.