Mike Ribeiro steps up to the plate. It's the 9th inning and his team is down. There are two outs and the bases are loaded.
Ribeiro sees the first pitch. Chin music.
The mighty Frenchman makes contact on the next pitch.
It could be!
It might be!
It is...Chris Osgood?
At the conclusion of game two of the NHL's Western Conference Finals, Dallas Stars' forward Mike Rebeiro slashed Detroit Red Wings' goaltender Chris Osgood in the chest. The baseball scenario occurred immediately after Osgood caught Ribeiro in the face with the butt-end of his stick.
Suspensions will surely ensue and the incident will stimulate an already amusing series, but which party was wrong: Osgood or Ribeiro?
The incident topped off a Red Wings victory full of hard hits, physical goaltenders and missed opportunities. After a scrum involving Steve Ott and Kris Draper at center ice, the puck was dropped and dumped in as time expired.
The Red Wings, delighted to take a 2-0 series lead, began to celebrate as the puck wrapped around the end boards. Ribeiro quickly skated and made his way behind the Detroit net although the game had ended. Osgood, unprovoked, extended his stick and struck Ribeiro in the chin.
Ribeiro responded with a prompt two handed slash across Osgood's chest. Osgood emphasized the vicious attack by feigning injury. A scrum ensued.
Both players' actions were both wrong and gruesome, but why was Ribeiro headed toward Detroit players even though time had expired?
Osgood saved his teammates from potential harm by fending off Ribeiro. The goaltender did what any hockey player would do: protect his teammates.
Ribeiro's intent was unknown, but once the buzzer sounded, he should have gone to the locker room, not the celebrating opposition. This veteran Star should know that going into the opposing team's post game territory will get a player a face full of something, whether it be glove or stick.
Osgood's subtle butt-end was dangerous, but Ribeiro was wrong in entering the zone. Hopefully the league will review the scenario and act appropriately.
Suspensions or not, this will make the remaining games exciting and perhaps spawn a new rivalry.
Comments (10) Add a comment »
from 5 days ago
Ribeiro's actions were inexcusable, but give an Academy Award to Osgood for that performance! I'm guessing he graduated from The Hasek School of Embellishment.
Here's the irony! Osgood embellishing....on a RIBEIRO slash!
from 5 days ago
Ribeiro's actions are stupid, but Osgood acted as though he was about to die out there. Best performance i've seen since the last time i saw Hamlet performed.
from 5 days ago
I'm sorry, but the BEST goalie performance that I've ever seen was in 2002 when the Avs played Detroit and Roy did a pirouette in the corner after nobody touched him. Oh yea, the Wings ended up scoring on that play because Roy was too busy arguing with the ref and couldn't get back into the net in time.
from 5 days ago
I was just gonna toss into the conversation that Osgoods chest protector is probably more protective than military body armor used over in Iraq...for real...im sure that smack with the stick was like a tickle.
from 5 days ago
you guys are idiots none of you play hockey i suppose. he broke the stick hitting him. let me hit you like that it hurts even with protection.
from 4 days ago
no B you;'re an idiot that gear is meant to withstand 100mph pucks, he acted as though he was slashed in the throat that's the point, he wasn't, it got hit in the chest. Maybe you should watch the game next time.
from 5 days ago
Ribeiro's two hander was complete garbage, but Osgood certainly wasn't hurt. His chest protector is designed to stop vulcanized rubber traveling over 100 miles per hour. Somehow I think it could adequately protect a goaltender from a wicked slash. In last year's playoffs, Johan Franzen was slashed in virtually the same area by Flame's tender Jamie McClennan. He was uninjured, but went down in a form of surprise. I think the same may have happened with Osgood.
In the end, Ribeiro and the Stars are garbage and Monday's game three will be fun to watch.
from 5 days ago
Indeed, osgood has a ton of padding there....but....it hit him mainly in the side if you see the replay, and there is not that much padding whatsoever on the side. (im a goalie)
from 5 days ago
Hey, I'm not arguing AT ALL that Ozzie wasn't hurt somewhat by the slash. However if you are going to hit a goalie, for some strange reason, the chest protector would be the best place to do it.
As for you, b, go away as your comments are not welcome here. I've played hockey since mites. I am was a street and roller hockey goalie for my fraternity in college. I've been hit like that and it's not that bad. Ozzie fell to the ice, but it's to make sure the ref knows something happened and to draw a penalty, not because he's injured (big difference between injured and hurt.)
The league got the penalties right (undisclosed fines for Ribiero, Ozzie, and Ott). No suspensions.
from 3 days ago
yeah you played mites and college roller hockey wow, try taking a hit from a full size NHL player that works out everyday with weights and on ice training, NOT lifting beer glasses as training. Im sure it was more of a surprise and sometimes you have to exaggerate for the refs to see it. Also there is no place in the sport for that kind of slash. i love rough play but not to intentionally injure someone.
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