In Wednesday’s pivotal match-up between the surging San Jose Sharks and the over-achieving Minnesota Wild, a simple play may have changed the playoff landscape for the entire league. The worst thing is, it was entirely preventable.
Minnesota defenseman Kurtis Foster was chasing down a puck behind his net, and San Jose forward Torrey Mitchell was chasing him. Mitchell had little chance of passing Foster, who was closer and had positioned himself between Mitchell and the puck.
But Mitchell, a young, fast player, hustled to keep his team from having a tired line matched up against Minnesota’s scoring line in the San Jose defensive zone during a close game. In Mitchell's process of trying to push his way past Foster, Mitchell ran him into the boards, breaking his femur.
Foster is out for the entire play-offs. At 6’5” and 220 pounds, he is one of the few players both big enough to be a force in the defensive end and skilled enough to be a key to the power play. For a team in the toughest division, top-to-bottom, in the league, this jeopardizes their chances of winning a top-three seed.
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For a team already lacking in star power compared to the rest of the Western Conference, this almost ensures that even if they do, they will be overmatched.
Moreover, this impacts more than Minnesota in the playoffs. If they hang on to win their division and are upset in the first round, San Jose—the hottest team in the league—may be paired against the defending champion Ducks in the first round. If Minnesota does not win the Northwest because they are missing a key player in a tight race, the President’s Trophy-winning Detroit Red Wings will get that tough match-up.
It may also hurt the Ducks if Corey Perry is still not ready for the second round, and it hurts fans, and thereby the league, because the best match-ups are not showcased late in the playoffs.
The traditionalists, who have held the game back from reaching a broader audience for years, do not want to change rules. I respect tradition too, but if stars get hurt, it is bad for the product on the ice, and there have been many such examples, most vividly was when Bryan Marchment nearly killed Mike Modano several years back by sending him head-first into the boards going for a touch-up.
There is a very simple compromise to be had, let the referees make a judgment call and blow the whistle for the riskier icing chases. If there are two players careening at full speed directly at the boards, blow the play dead and everyone lives to play again. If not, let play go on.
Officials already have the trust of the league to wave off icing in certain situations, so this is no different. It could also be something that is in place only for the regular season, adding to the intensity of the playoffs. At least that way a team will not have worked for six months to see it all go down the drain in a split-second.
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5 months ago
Eh, I think you just relate to Foster cause he's a big guy!
I've told you before, I think hockey was a lot more fun when I watched and there were less rules and more pure aggression on the ice. I can't believe I say this when I'm such a pacifist, but nevertheless, sports are where we can enjoy those tendencies.
from 5 months ago
Oh, ya, you betchya deh were! Plus, ya know, you can kick a guy's butt fer cheatin' if da ref don't call it--what udder sport ken ya do dat in, eh?
5 months ago
I was at the game and saw that injury. What's frightening is that it seemed like such a routine play, but it ended with a not-so-routine outcome. The Wild have a lot to be proud of this year, and it's a shame that this happened.
I'm conflicted on this one, though. I do think it's very exciting when players race for an icing call, especially in the late moments of the game. I know this sounds like straddling the fence, but what if it were an automatic icing in the first two periods of the game? Only in the third period would it require a touch. It's kind of silly to see guys scrambling for a touch with 8:32 left in the first period.
Just a thought :)
from 5 months ago
Thanks for making this the pick of the day!
I am also conflicted on this, but I would rather see them scrambling in the third with the game on the line then in the first two periods when it isn't. However, I want it to be a ref's judgment based on the danger level--blow the whistle if guys are in contact and heading perpendicular to the boards from a distance, but not if it's less dangerous. And never blow the whistle in the playoffs.
5 months ago
I am humbled that although I hail from Michigan I bow to someone with an obviously superior knowledge of my state's sport (and I'm not talking about pro football)
5 months ago
I disagree, 110%. Now you're messing around with the integrity of the sport-just because one player got injured. So the refs are supposed to blow the play dead....then what? Have it be an automatic icing like in high school and college? Can the team change lines after icing it? The NHL needs to change 100 things before they even think about this one
from 5 months ago
First, let me say thanks for not only commenting, but for commenting twice to make my article look like it's garnering more attention and compelling more feedback!
However, you did miss two sub-points within it: there would not be automatic icing, but referee's judgment to blow it dead if the play looks risky, just like in juniors; and there have been multiple injuries--this one not only isn't the only one I can think of, it isn't the only one I MENTIONED in the article.
To me, there is no significant disruption of "the integrity of the game" by altering one rule slightly. It would have less effect on the way the game is played than the following rules changes that have already taken place: tag-up/no-tag/tag-up again offsides, two-line/no-two-line pass rule, shootout, one point for OT loss and four-on-four OTs, graphite sticks, curved sticks/rules governing same, alterations to the rink (uniform dimensions, moving back goal and blue lines)...need I go on?
And by the way, it is not possible to disagree more than 100%. If you only have three apples you cannot give me 3.3 apples. Please don't further that ridiculous cliche.
5 months ago
I disagree, 110%. Now you're messing around with the integrity of the sport-just because one player got injured. So the refs are supposed to blow the play dead....then what? Have it be an automatic icing like in high school and college? Can the team change lines after icing it? The NHL needs to change 100 things before they even think about this one
5 months ago
haha. i like the 3.3 apples analogy. touche
Ok, so, what if the refs blows the play dead? Where is the puck dropped? Can they make line changes?
Icing is a pivotal part of the game dude! The 'icing team' can't change lines. The puck is dropped in their zone. It's imperative. So, what do you do? Let the refs decided if there MAY BE an injury, when two players race for the puck, and cease play?! That's ridiculous. Players race for the puck for those reasons, precisely.
"...alterations to the rink (uniform dimensions, moving back goal and blue lines)...need I go on?..."
Yes, please, go on! The alterations you made in that comment are good and bad. This argument stinks. And it's sissy rules that made this game less physical.
You're just talking like a "homer" because Foster is out for your Wild.
Please tell me, and back it up, another major incident where an icing ended up in a season ending injuy. Please.
But, I did like this article, even though I disagree...100%. Gotta love bleacherreport.com
5 months ago
It would be the same as any other icing--face-off in the offender's zone, no line change.
If you can show me how this would have a more significant impact on the game that the other changes I mentioned that alter STRATEGIES as opposed to just one race, or how the game suddenly becomes "sissy" because one rule gets changed, then tell me the argument stinks.
I told you about a play that gave Modano whiplash IN THIS VERY ARTICLE, a play he could very well have broken his neck and ended his career or life, but since he ONLY missed a couple months, I will cite the case of Patrice Bergeron FROM THIS YEAR. It was in a race for the puck along the boards he got hammered and has missed the season from much earlier than Foster. If he's healthy, maybe the Bs are looking for home ice in the first round.
And if you looked at my profile, you'd know I'm NOT being a homer--I'm a Sharks fan, baby!
But I'm glad you liked the article and didn't take my dig personally...I disagree with what you say, but will defend your right to say it, 110%!!!
5 months ago
I've been watching hockey at every level since the late sixties (old eh!) and while I can't give you the names of players who have missed the playoffs because of this type of play... I've seen it happen at least 3 - 4 times per year. So it's not an insignificant number of players that have been affected.
Touch icing is a stupid rule - period. The minor value in the play diminishes the game. Years ago junior hockey moved to no touch icing. It has not inhibited the beauty or intensity of the game, it's just ensured that players are not put in a position to needlessly ruin a game, season or career.
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