London Knights 2024 - 25 Season Thread, Part VII

[Matt93]

Someone posted a video of the Halttunen hit on the Rags board.

It looks like it was shoulder to head because Nicholl pushes the player from behind causing him to bend over a bit. Does the league take that into consideration when they review it? Without that shove it would’ve been shoulder to shoulder.

This league is so inconsistent with penalties and discipline and now Halttunen is a repeat offender from his previous suspension that shouldn’t have been.

Knowing this league and Papa Haches hatred for the Knights I wouldnt be surprised to see him gone for this series.

 

[Otto]

I'm amazed at the amount of people who still believe the playoffs are called the same as regular season. It's never been that way.

Playoff hockey is different, it has always been different. Coach Hunter knows this and uses it to his advantage. Apparently Jussi and a bunch of Knights and Rags fans are not aware

 

[Jives]

Someone posted a video of the Halttunen hit on the Rags board.

It looks like it was shoulder to head because Nicholl pushes the player from behind causing him to bend over a bit. Does the league take that into consideration when they review it? Without that shove it would’ve been shoulder to shoulder.

This league is so inconsistent with penalties and discipline and now Halttunen is a repeat offender from his previous suspension that shouldn’t have been.

Knowing this league and Papa Haches hatred for the Knights I wouldnt be surprised to see him gone for this series.

I think it’s like high sticking and a stick to the face is a penalty (unless following through from shooting). I dont think it matters if he got pushed before the hit. The shoulder (imo) made contact with the head and probably took a player out for the series. If them deem it shoulder to head then I’d be surprised if it’s not a suspension.

 

[TheOrangePylon]

Shoulders down, Elbows down, didn’t leave his feet, didn’t launch threw him, player had just released the puck. That’s a hockey hit. Unfortunate there was an injury on the play, never want to see that. But It’s not Halts fault he is bigger and stronger than the guy.

 

[Ken Yates]

Before first game i would have said 90% chance Knights OHL Championship. With Barkey maybe done for season that drops to 60% its not just his scoring, puck pursuit, killing penalties and power play setup. We have a deep team..but..i would trade a loss last night for no injury.

 

[TheOrangePylon]

Before first game i would have said 90% chance Knights OHL Championship. With Barkey maybe done for season that drops to 60% its not just his scoring, puck pursuit, killing penalties and power play setup. We have a deep team..but..i would trade a loss last night for no injury.

I don’t the percentage drops that much, is Barkey a good player and very important to the team, absolutely. But, this team is very deep and can overcome an injury to a key player. If multiple guys start dropping, then for sure, it’s trouble. But I think the 90% you say, only drops to maybe 80% without Barkey.

 

[EvenSteven]

But, in this league, there is no gray area with head contact. First point of contact is considered a head shot.

Shoulders down, Elbows down, didn’t leave his feet, didn’t launch threw him, player had just released the puck. That’s a hockey hit. Unfortunate there was an injury on the play, never want to see that. But It’s not Halts fault he is bigger and stronger than the guy.

 

[Knights77]

Before first game i would have said 90% chance Knights OHL Championship. With Barkey maybe done for season that drops to 60% its not just his scoring, puck pursuit, killing penalties and power play setup. We have a deep team..but..i would trade a loss last night for no injury.

While I agree the loss is huge I still think the Knights win the OHL with this roster. No reason not to think the depth can’t make up for it. However the Memorial Cup against a monster like Moncton would be a different story.

 

[ArielNederland]

 

[sbpointer]

So I am not a coach with 1000 OHL wins.

I'm not even a minor hockey coach lol. But IMO if Barkey is indeed out for game two I would dress Aboflan in that spot for redundancy. Make sure that scene doesn't replay. If the game takes a similar path with three guys in the line up you should always have either Boulton, Aboflan or VanBommel not in the penalty box.

Depending on who Kitchener posts as their starting line up I wouldn't entirely rule out starting one of those guys just in case. I feel like Kitchener wants to take this series into that realm and I get it it's there best shot at success but London has the depth to outlast them playing that game. Even if a couple guys get a game or two you have more toughness to slot in. Even as far as Spencer dressing a a fourth line winger if it got really stupid.

 

[EvenSteven]

Shoulders down, Elbows down, didn’t leave his feet, didn’t launch threw him, player had just released the puck. That’s a hockey hit. Unfortunate there was an injury on the play, never want to see that. But It’s not Halts fault he is bigger and stronger than the guy.

Much like goalie interference, (I know, apples and oranges), the combination of the cross check and hit led to the headshot. Humphreys was arguably double teamed. Had a Ranger inadvertently nudged Humphreys, maybe a different ruling?

When a D runs an opponent into the goalie, no goalie interference. If a forward bumps a teammate into the opposition’s goalie, no goal.

But even if Humphreys leans ahead and down at the last instant on his own, think Steve Moore on Markus Naslund, and Haltanen does everything you just described in your post, and the first point of contact is the head, it is a headshot in this league

 

[EvenSteven]

Shoulders down, Elbows down, didn’t leave his feet, didn’t launch threw him, player had just released the puck. That’s a hockey hit. Unfortunate there was an injury on the play, never want to see that. But It’s not Halts fault he is bigger and stronger than the guy.

Actually, you just described the Liambis hit on Fanelli to a tee. Right up to the player just releasing the puck. In playing the puck, Fanelli spun around showing his back to Liambis at the last instant. Wasn’t even a headshot.

Even Dave Branch called it a clean hit that went bad. He was basically suspended for the outcome of the hit. I’m not wanting to rehash that debate on here.

But everything you said doesn’t matter if the first point of contact is the head.

It would be nice to see replays of the hit from various angles.

 

[imarriedawitch]

I love the explosiveness of this Knight's team. Opposing teams take heart in playing with London even for 55 minutes of the game but it has to be wearing knowing they're always 5 minutes away from 3 goals against.

 

[LDN]

View attachment 1023142View attachment 1023143

Some solid names! Too bad no Monks

 

[Wifi]

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Some interesting names on there, Andrew Mohesky, Gavin Weber, and Nathan Haud. All big 2008 Americans that put up over a ppg last year.

Also no Max Mews, Jacob Monks, or Mikhail Zakharov. Will be interesting to see if there are any signings after this weekend

 

[Matt93]

Knights 4th in game 2 should be Boulton, Van Bommel and Aboflan. 5 and 61 from the Rags won’t be doing much if they have to answer to that line.

 

[TheOrangePylon]

Actually, you just described the Liambis hit on Fanelli to a tee. Right up to the player just releasing the puck. In playing the puck, Fanelli spun around showing his back to Liambis at the last instant. Wasn’t even a headshot.

Even Dave Branch called it a clean hit that went bad. He was basically suspended for the outcome of the hit. I’m not wanting to rehash that debate on here.

But everything you said doesn’t matter if the first point of contact is the head.

It would be nice to see replays of the hit from various angles.

I don’t think the hits are comparable, Liambis hit a guy who was in the process of turning. Halttunen hit a guy square in the front of his body, whose head got pushed forward in the process of the hit.

But yes I agree, I think some different angles would be good to see if the first point of contact was the head or chest. I don’t believe Halttunen was head hunting by any means, he was trying to throw a hit to set the tone and I believe kept his body in a clean hitting position.

I don’t want to see anyone injured, it would be great if both teams played at 100% health and the best team wins. Unfortunately, not a reality in this sport.

 

[purple pharrt]

Before first game i would have said 90% chance Knights OHL Championship. With Barkey maybe done for season that drops to 60% its not just his scoring, puck pursuit, killing penalties and power play setup. We have a deep team..but..i would trade a loss last night for no injury.

Then again, consideration has to be given on the team's performance without Barkey in the lineup. Earlier on in the season, he missed quite a number of games, recovering from Mono. The supporting cast stepped up, and the team kept on winning, in his absence. Are the Knights better when he's playing ?? Absolutely ! However they've demonstrated that they're more than capable when they have to compensate for his absence.
PS: Given his reaction going off the ice, my bet would be a stretched or torn ACL.. those hurt like hell, and take a long time to recover from.

 

[LDN]

Then again, consideration has to be given on the team's performance without Barkey in the lineup. Earlier on in the season, he missed quite a number of games, recovering from Mono. The supporting cast stepped up, and the team kept on winning, in his absence. Are the Knights better when he's playing ?? Absolutely ! However they've demonstrated that they're more than capable when they have to compensate for his absence.
PS: Given his reaction going off the ice, my bet would be a stretched or torn ACL.. those hurt like hell, and take a long time to recover from.

Let’s hope it’s not a severe injury and for a quick recovery!

 

[JagrBomb93]

I'm amazed at the amount of people who still believe the playoffs are called the same as regular season. It's never been that way.

Playoff hockey is different, it has always been different. Coach Hunter knows this and uses it to his advantage. Apparently Jussi and a bunch of Knights and Rags fans

Kaleb Lawrence last year comes to mind. Lengthy suspension in the playoffs

 

[LDN]

 

[Ferguson Jenkins]

Game 1 was officiated great….if the game was played in the 1980s. The only way the Rags can keep up with the Knights is by hooking and holding. I lost count of how many cross checks to the face and punches to the head went uncalled.

I was hoping under a new Commissioner the league would get their officials in order but I guess not. Very few know how to control a game and when you start letting things go, the players push the limit a little more each time until someone gets injured.

Nichol has no clue what he is going out there and looks intimidated by the players. Hoping for better from the league in Game 2 or there will be more injuries.

This is accurate. The clutch, grab, and obstruction by Kitchener was evident all night. The refs are too afraid to call “too many” penalties on the overmatched team chasing the puck all night. They don’t want scores being 9-0. This type of officiating was happening last year with London and especially noticeable against Owen Sound and Erie this playoff. On a semi related note, I expect Halttunen to be gone for at least 8 games. Headshot is a headshot in this league but who the heck knows what they’ll decide.

 

[rve24]

IF Barkey is out, IF Halts gets a suspension, I'm not going to come on here and cry n whine. Is what it is and play thru it.

 

[SaneKnightsfsn]

While I agree the loss is huge I still think the Knights win the OHL with this roster. No reason not to think the depth can’t make up for it. However the Memorial Cup against a monster like Moncton would be a different story.

Are you guys just talking here or have we heard an announcement on Barkey ??
Also I was at the game but didn’t see how it happened. Does anyone know ?

 

[SaneKnightsfsn]

This is accurate. The clutch, grab, and obstruction by Kitchener was evident all night. The refs are too afraid to call “too many” penalties on the overmatched team chasing the puck all night. They don’t want scores being 9-0. This type of officiating was happening last year with London and especially noticeable against Owen Sound and Erie this playoff. On a semi related note, I expect Halttunen to be gone for at least 8 games. Headshot is a headshot in this league but who the heck knows what they’ll decide.

If it was a headshot was wasn’t it a 5 or 2 called after the refs got the video out ? It’s pretty hard to throw the guy out for 8 games after they called a 5 refs reviewed the play and then called no penalty don’t ya think?