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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Rangers True Blue
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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.
bobber
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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
Xu can join the team for the rest of the year with no restrictions.
Edwards has been with the Toronto Patriots since Komoka was out and seems to be there for the playoff run. (Currently down 3-2)
Anstis will not be brought up until Listowel is out unless it’s an injury replacement. Has not used any of his 10 games
Grisolia has been out since taking a reverse check. I’d say he’s likely back game 1
Cameron/Schneider are down 0-1
To me Macniel deserves the shot at game 1 assuming Andonovski is back. He and Dirracolo have been a solid pairing as of late and hasn’t played his way out of the lineup.
Rangers True Blue
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People saying it was intended I say BS. Agreed that Hlacar needs to pay attention to his hit and has now found out what happens when it goes wrong. Now, he's in deep with the refs and anything even close to this is going to be called. I do not condone head checks of any kind. Our coaches need to work with him to sort this out. Grit is great but going over the line is not. Still TBD this morning so I would think they will throw the book at him and set an example for sure. I do hope they hold other players in the league to the same standard.
Rangers True Blue
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I'd be surprised if players will be rested on either side tonight. Yes, to those with injuries, but otherwise, play. London played their big guns against the Spits on Sunday and lost. Hunter can't be too happy about that. Is tonight a throw away game or a statement game prior to the playoffs. I can't see Jussi throwing anything away. He will, IMO, protect top line players who are banged up and need to recuperate before playoffs. It would be nice to see both teams focus on playing hockey and stay away from antics and possible injuries. Saying that...
Barkey, O’Reilly and Bonk all didn’t play v Windsor.
It’s a nothing game. For me, get as many kids in the lineup to rest as many vets as possible.
Last thing we need is an injury going into the post season.
Last thing we need is an injury going into the post season.
Ward Cornell
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Quite simple, sit out as many as we have replacements for!
Maybe full lineup for last game just so the players don't sit for too long??? Totally on the fence with this one, just avoid any infractions which could be a suspension.
Maybe full lineup for last game just so the players don't sit for too long??? Totally on the fence with this one, just avoid any infractions which could be a suspension.
Rangers True Blue
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And the verdict is............note the asterisk.........he's back for the playoffs...
Not surprising...some may not like it but IMO he was following thru with his check and it was aimed at the head. Intention or not, that's the way it looked. I think Hlacar will be more needed regularly in the 2nd round (providing we get that far ** ).
Yeesh. Surely round one will be a formality. (I know. Ask the 2023 Spits about that).
But if we don’t get to round two game 6 or 7 minimum, we’ll be back here debating whether we should have sold off or not at the deadline!
I agree with you...but put in the disclaimer as I don't want to offend the Hockey Deities. Nothing like bad karma going into the playoffs.Yeesh. Surely round one will be a formality. (I know. Ask the 2023 Spits about that).
But if we don’t get to round two game 6 or 7 minimum, we’ll be back here debating whether we should have sold off or not at the deadline!
If Ando is not in the lineup, I would be worried about some of the London players targetting a few of our guys. I would keep Reid and Stark out for tonight's game. The last thing Stark needs, if a head shot from Boulton or Sim. Reid is too important for any playoff success to risk in a nothing game.
London is apparently sitting Cowan, Dickinson, Barkey, Julien and Haulttunen tonight according to JB.
I hope our scratches are comparable.
Fastpace
Do extra on every shift and you will be noticed !
If the Rangers play discipline hockey, this will likely transform into power plays
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