I caught it out of the corner of my eye and it didn't look that bad. Like he almost missed the check? May be a case of a big guy hitting a smaller guy. It happens. But like I said, I was looking the other way.
Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part IV
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They showed the Hlacar hit from 3 different angles. It did look like Hlacar was going in with a legal check. He looked away at the play as he went in. The player that was hit buckled on contact lowering his head. Hlacar's elbow made contact. Hlacar wasn't even looking at that point. A penalty perhaps but suspension.....I think not.
Looks like worthy of about 3-5 games to me.
They is Rogers camera guys. Was certainly a head check.
Fastpace
Do extra on every shift and you will be noticed !
I like Hlacar's hard work ethic on the ice, he is a good kid, and I know he is by no mean a dirty player, but he is not getting away from this hit from the league. That was a head check, unfortunately, the player first had his back to Hlacar and never seen him coming, it was also blind sided. All players at this level from all teams, must look where they are hitting players, at the speed of this game, the opponents have to have a chance at seeing what is coming their way, for the safety of all players. I can still hear the boards cracking behind the net when Ben Fanelli got crushed by Michael Liambas, now that one was dirty, it usely start small in a game and then progresses from there. Cheers!
My take is that while he probably had every intention of executing a clean hit, it was a direct hit straight to the head. The player didn't change position last instant or do anything outside of a regular play that you see in every battle in a corner, things some would say to rationalize a direct hit to the head.
I wasn't at the game, only have watched the footage linked above, to me I suspect Hlacar committed to the hit having anticipated where he thought the NB player would be, and was wrong and hit early. That's the risk when throwing yourself at a hit like a torpedo.
It's his second major in 3-4 games being too reckless. Sure he's big, it's not like we haven't seen big players before (Boris got a raw deal in his day!), its okay to be big, just don't be reckless or you'll draw even more penalties than just the "big guy" penalties.
I don't want to go as far as to say I don't 'Trust' him, but heading into the playoffs, anticipating he'll get at least a few game suspension, I wouldn't rush to insert him into the lineup right away when he becomes available. At least not as a regular 4th line shift.
As for a suspension, I expect at least 2-3, which in my opinion would be light, but for all we know it could be around 5 or even more.
As for the game against London, I reallllllllly hope to see a number of scratches. Parsons ideally in the press box, if Edwards is able to be on the bench, at worst Parsons on the bench. Ando with at least a sore wrist should sit, Swick with a suspected broken finger should sit (He's been invisible lately imo, but hope its not a bad injury nonetheless), Humphreys seems banged up. I anticipate there are many additional players who will get a night off over the next 3 games.
Xu is rostered, and I believe his team is eliminated from their respective playoffs, does anyone know if he's now able to join the team for the last 3 games? I assume so, given he's on the roster.
What about Edwards? Anyone know his teams playoff status/whether he can dress for any of the remaining games? I don't suspect his team is in it given his 2-20'ish record (I know he's actually played well on a very bad team).
Is an Avery Antsis or others available for a game or two/within the bounds of cards etc?
Side note: How is Chris Grisolia doing? While it's been nice for players to get more time/opportunity, Grisolia is a player I'd like to have healthy for the playoffs. Hope he's doing okay
Xu is rostered, and I believe his team is eliminated from their respective playoffs, does anyone know if he's now able to join the team for the last 3 games? I assume so, given he's on the roster.
What about Edwards? Anyone know his teams playoff status/whether he can dress for any of the remaining games? I don't suspect his team is in it given his 2-20'ish record (I know he's actually played well on a very bad team).
Is an Avery Antsis or others available for a game or two/within the bounds of cards etc?
Side note: How is Chris Grisolia doing? While it's been nice for players to get more time/opportunity, Grisolia is a player I'd like to have healthy for the playoffs. Hope he's doing okay
