Morgan Rielly cross check to the head of Ridley Greig (DOPS UPDATE: In Person Hearing - 6 games or more possible)

[Rare Jewel]

The guy who shot the puck too hard into the empty net is the asshole, and the guy who crosschecked another player in the head isn't?

No, it's not a great play for Morgan, and until then, he's about the least likely player I'd expect to do that.

But let's not pretend that things like what Grieg did or running your top PP unit in a runaway game aren't considered a form of provocation.

 

[pb1300]

Nothing. It was poor sportsmanship.

NOBODY is denying that. Does not warrant a crosscheck to the neck/face area.

And yes, it was the neck as the primary point of contact. Whether it was intent to be there or not is irrelevant. Greig's arm is almost level with his shoulder, and Rielly's crosscheck run over the shoulder patch, upward directly to his neck.

How you can deny that or paint a different picture is crazy.

 

[KevinRedkey]

Yeah, because Morgan is clearly a historically dirtier player, right? It's not like he was in the running for the Lady Byng prior to this incident.

Oh, wait...

He's generally a clean player, but he clearly let his emotions get the best of him on this specific occasion. He'll likley get less than the 6 games Perron got, for that exact reason. It doesn't excuse what he did.

Also, no one would be blaming Reilly if he gave Greig a face wash, or if he had dropped the gloves. Greig did something that was bound to piss the Leafs off, and I'm sure he'd have answered the bell if needed. What Reilly did was not acceptable, but I also don't think he'll do it again.

 

[Leaf Fans]

Do you know what gets said between the players during the course of a hockey game? Do you know why announcers between the benches mute their headsets from time to time?

Holy shit. People are getting emo over a guy scoring an empty net goal which is part of his job.

There is more emotional people over a guy getting his comeuppance than there is over the goal. I think they are right it was an over reaction to the empty net goal. It was just poor sportsmanship. He will mature.

NOBODY is denying that. Does not warrant a crosscheck to the neck/face area.

And yes, it was the neck as the primary point of contact. Whether it was intent to be there or not is irrelevant. Greig's arm is almost level with his shoulder, and Rielly's crosscheck run over the shoulder patch, upward directly to his neck.

How you can deny that or paint a different picture is crazy.

Yeah, I did say it was unwarranted.

 

[Rare Jewel]

Do you know what gets said between the players during the course of a hockey game? Do you know why announcers between the benches mute their headsets from time to time?

Holy shit. People are getting emo over a guy scoring an empty net goal which is part of his job.

It's the manner of how he did it, not that he did it. Had he casually put it in the net, there wouldn't be a problem.

 

[HTFN]

No, it's not a great play for Morgan, and until then, he's about the least likely player I'd expect to do that.

But let's not pretend that things like what Grieg did or running your top PP unit in a runaway game aren't considered a form of provocation.

Runaway game? It was 4-3.

He smashed it home same way an NBA player might throw down a game sealing dunk instead of the easy layup. If you don't like it, stop it from happening. If you can't... well... booooo f***ing hoo, if it upsets you that much take a number and chase him next game.

It doesn't matter how "provoked" you are you can't hunt a guy after the play is dead and then get your stick up in his jaw because your feelings were hurt.

 

[Divine]

So because its the NHL its alright? Players need to keep their emotions in check full stop.

I'm not saying it's alright but that's how the game is played.

If you don't want retaliation, don't make a hard hit. That's today's NHL. The players create their own 'code' by how they react.

There's fights after goal celebrations if they're deemed too excessive - like the Ovechkin 'hot stick' or Anisimov faking shooting the goalie. Both of those are technically legal too. As our clean hits. The players have a separate code that's different from the rule book.

Do I personally care that Greig took a slapshot? Nope. It made the game more entertaining that he did though because of what ensued. I don't think the Leafs care much unless they miss the playoffs because of a suspension - which would be surprising.

At the end of the day, this game likely doesn't change either Ottawa or Toronto's playoff aspirations.

 

[johnnystormcgy]

NOBODY is denying that. Does not warrant a crosscheck to the neck/face area.

And yes, it was the neck as the primary point of contact. Whether it was intent to be there or not is irrelevant. Greig's arm is almost level with his shoulder, and Rielly's crosscheck run over the shoulder patch, upward directly to his neck.

How you can deny that or paint a different picture is crazy.

Morgan should have just beat his face with his fists, that way he wont get suspended.

 

[Pierre from Orleans]

It's the manner of how he did it, not that he did it. Had he casually put it in the net, there wouldn't be a problem.

So that warrants a cross check to the head? Arent concussions still a thing and shit the league and fans wants to get out of the league?

 

[RattsSSV]

No, it's not a great play for Morgan, and until then, he's about the least likely player I'd expect to do that.

But let's not pretend that things like what Grieg did or running your top PP unit in a runaway game aren't considered a form of provocation.

Yeah it's provocation, but you don't cross check a guy to the head. If you have an issue you offer a fight. If they decline you use it for fuel next game against them and hit the guy and try for another fight. That said, maybe they shouldn't have give up the empty netter in the first place.

 

[Divine]

This argument whether Reilly “accidentally“ checked his head isn‘t important once you factor in that Reilly’s cross check happened long after the whistle was blown and wasn’t a hockey play.

As opposed to crosschecks which happen while the game is played and are hockey plays?

Crosschecks happen unpunished after the whistle all the time. None of those unpunished after the whistle crosschecks are hockey plays either. I think it's be more egregious if he threw a hit that far after the whistle. Crosschecks after the whistle are generally more accepted in the NHL. I'm not saying it's right, just that it is the precedent the NHL has set.

 

[Korpse]

The primary point was not the head though.

Whether he can reasonably conclude he would hit is head is up to debate. Rielly can clearly argue (and I'm sure will) that he hit his shoulder and Greig raised his arm up causing the stick to ride up to his head.

You are just using buzz words without even understanding how they are used. I'm assuming you are referencing rule 48.1 for illegal check to the head (even if you don't realize) in an embarrassing attempt to excuse a cross check to the head, as if it is somehow irrelevant. Primary point or principal point of contact always meant main, not where contact was made first but where the most significant contact was made. Which is why rule 48.1 now states "main point of contact". I'm not even sure how it is relevant but you are using it wrong.

 

[pb1300]

Morgan should have just beat his face with his fists, that way he wont get suspended.

Yes, drop the gloves there and go after him. Id be more than content with that.

 

[Divine]

You are just using buzz words without even understanding how they are used. I'm assuming you are referencing rule 48.1 for illegal check to the head in an embarrassing attempt to excuse a cross check to the head, as if it is somehow irrelevant. Primary point or principal point of contact always meant main, not where contact was made first but where the most significant contact was made. Which is why rule 48.1 now states "main point of contact". I'm not even sure how it is relevant but you are using it wrong.

The NHL literally pointed out the main/primary (whatever you want to call it) point of contact in the crosscheck suspension you pointed earlier. They highlighted that the stick rode up and therefore gave a lighter sentence than he would otherwise receive if he directly crosschecked him in the head.

How is that not proof that the main impact does matter?

 

[Edgelord]

Rielly is gonna be up the air











cuz he'll be suspended.................................ba dum tiss

 

[HTFN]

I'm not saying it's alright but that's how the game is played.

If you don't want retaliation, don't make a hard hit. That's today's NHL. The players create their own 'code' by how they react.

There's fights after goal celebrations if they're deemed too excessive - like the Ovechkin 'hot stick' or Anisimov faking shooting the goalie. Both of those are technically legal too. As our clean hits. The players have a separate code that's different from the rule book.

Do I personally care that Greig took a slapshot? Nope. It made the game more entertaining that he did though because of what ensued. I don't think the Leafs care much unless they miss the playoffs because of a suspension - which would be surprising.

At the end of the day, this game likely doesn't change either Ottawa or Toronto's playoff aspirations.

This is sports, a little harmless "f*** you" to a rival is fine now and then. Slapping the puck into a literal empty net is harmless even if it makes your feelings go funny.

Getting a stick up in a guy's face and trying to drop him near the boards is not that. There's no "code-warranted" reason to do it and is in fact generally frowned upon by said code, which usually says "take a number and get them later".

 

[Rare Jewel]

Runaway game? It was 4-3.

He smashed it home same way an NBA player might throw down a game sealing dunk instead of the easy layup. If you don't like it, stop it from happening. If you can't... well... booooo f***ing hoo, if it upsets you that much take a number and chase him next game.

It doesn't matter how "provoked" you are you can't hunt a guy after the play is dead and then get your stick up in his jaw because your feelings were hurt.

I'm speaking generally, there's sort of an unwritten conduct of things you shouldn't do. It was excessive, but Grieg shouldn't be surprised they went after him.

The playing being dead is irrelevant as well. How many scrums that lead to fights happened after a whistle?

 

[Sniper99]

Reilly should be taking notes "oh so thats what a hard slap shot looks like" Virtue probably has a harder shot than his snowflake ass.

 

[HTFN]

As opposed to crosschecks which happen while the game is played and are hockey plays?

Crosschecks happen unpunished after the whistle all the time. None of those unpunished after the whistle crosschecks are hockey plays either. I think it's be more egregious if he threw a hit that far after the whistle. Crosschecks after the whistle are generally more accepted in the NHL. I'm not saying it's right, just that it is the precedent the NHL has set.

Cross checks to the head are a part of the game 0% of the time and have been seen that way for the majority if not all of my time watching this sport.

He didn't give him a little shove, he hit him in the jaw. Stop being a homer for a second and think about what you're saying here.

 

[Divine]

This is sports, a little harmless "f*** you" to a rival is fine now and then. Slapping the puck into a literal empty net is harmless even if it makes your feelings go funny.

Getting a stick up in a guy's face and trying to drop him near the boards is not that. There's no "code-warranted" reason to do it and is in fact generally frowned upon by said code, which usually says "take a number and get them later".

I don't know. Giroux seemed to throw his teammate under the bus when asked about it. It seems some players (including teammates of Greig) care more about the code than defending their teammates.

That in itself signals that the NHL players value the code. Whether or not fans agree with it.

Do I personally care? No.

 

[HTFN]

I'm speaking generally, there's sort of an unwritten conduct of things you shouldn't do. It was excessive, but Grieg shouldn't be surprised they went after him.

The playing being dead is irrelevant as well. How many scrums that lead to fights happened after a whistle?

It's very much relevant, the NHL has different rules (in operation) for scrums in a dead neutral play vs the very clear and obvious attacking of someone who scored a goal and is in no position to defend himself while celebrating.

They aren't codified but we all know the difference there.

 

[Kegu]

The NHL literally pointed out the main/primary (whatever you want to call it) point of contact in the crosscheck suspension you pointed earlier. They highlighted that the stick rode up and therefore gave a lighter sentence than he would otherwise receive if he directly crosschecked him in the head.

How is that not proof that the main impact does matter?

He didn't point out a cross check suspension, that was me. But sure our names both begin with K so thats cool I guess.
And fwiw these 2 hits aren't the same, I pointed that cross-checks where principle point of contact isnt the head can get suspended.
Greigs arm was almost straight out at 90° when Rielly hit him, shoulder and neck are at equal level and head is right there. I dont think Rielly can plead ignorance in the matter.

 

[Divine]

Cross checks to the head are a part of the game 0% of the time and have been seen that way for the majority if not all of my time watching this sport.

He didn't give him a little shove, he hit him in the jaw. Stop being a homer for a second and think about what you're saying here.

Any crosscheck are never part of the game. There's literally a rule written against it.

 

[Edgelord]

Reilly should be taking notes "oh so thats what a hard slap shot looks like" Virtue probably has a harder shot than his snowflake ass.

the slapshot of virtue sounds like a skills comp at a Christian hockey camp

 

[Rare Jewel]

So that warrants a cross check to the head? Arent concussions still a thing and shit the league and fans wants to get out of the league?

No, it doesn't, but don't act like Greig is some angel.