No Suspension for Richards
Flyers forward Mike Richards will not be suspended.
No Suspension for Richards
After a 12-hour wait, the Daily News has learned that Flyers captain Mike Richards will not be suspended for his open ice hit on Florida’s David Booth on Saturday night.
“The hit was reviewed by the Hockey Ops staff,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told the Daily News Sunday morning, “and was determined to not warrant any supplemental discipline.”
Daly told us that the play, as reported on Frequent Flyers last night, was not reviewed by NHL executive vice president for hockey operations Colin Campbell because of a possible conflict of interest. Campbell’s son Gregory is a forward for the Panthers.
Panthers GM Randy Sexton said Booth was released from Pennsylvania Hospital this morning and is making his way back to South Florida this afternoon. He sustained a concussion but was otherwise uninjured.
This comes less than 24 hours after the NHL suspended Carolina’s Tuomo Ruutu for 3 games for a head hit on Colorado’s Darcy Tucker on Friday night.
What are your thoughts? Was the hit suspension worthy or did the NHL make the right call?
You can view the hit right here:
Comments (104)
Kind of reminded me of the hit Stevens(Devils) put on Lindros back in the day. They called that hit clean.— Denny128- Richards is not a dirty player but he did hit a guy unprotected in open ice without the puck. If the shoe was on the other foot Flyers fans would want justice. I just hope Booth wakes up with a headache and is back on the ice fast. Certainly this hit now creates fodder for all non-Flyer fans in hockeydom to come out of their cracks and crevices and spew their non-sensical rhetoric.— rockinrob
- Wow they actually got it right for a change.— wgagne12
- How badly was Booth hurt?— Lissa
Absolutely the right call. Awful as it was to see a player injured, the truth is- You must punish the ACT, NOT the result. In this case- the result was terrible, but the act was not. We all want players to be safe in all sports, but errantly suspending players does not decrease injury. Increased quality of equpiment and medical treatment does.
I am thoroughly shocked they got this one right and did not suspend him. It was an unfortunate accident, but nothing more. And I'm getting fed up with the comparisons to Stevens' assault on Lindros. Stevens made a living off trying to end players careers with vicious elbows to the face, it was a set play the dirty debbies ran, and in the same playoffs, he took out like 5 other players in the same way. Stevens had a knack for hiding his elbows from the refs, he'd lead with his shoulder and then snap his elbow up, and they'd never see it. Now he's in the hall of fame, when he should be in prison.— Pelti- It is a shame that a talented young player like David Booth was hurt, but there was nothing illegal about the Richards hit.— JSaq
- It was a clean hit. Now, the cheap shot that Scott Stevens gave to Eric Lindros all those years ago, now thats another story.— ronguida
Comment removed.- all the talk of suspension made me think the NHL changed its rules recently. hits like the one Richards put on Booth last night were a staple of Scott Stevens' game. didn't remember stevens ever getting a suspension. illegal hits typically involved a player using his elbow to strike an opponent's head.— thinkdontspew
- no elbow cleanup, watch the replay. shoulder to head.— thinkdontspew
- Remember Lindros's first concussion? Kasperitus came across the ice to meet Eric at the boards with his elbow to his jaw. I came to remember the Penguins high fiving each other on the bench while Lindros was assited off the ice. Never mind the Penguins fans cheering, for they are the biggest hypocrates of all sports, but that was a clear attempt to injure. Turn the tables, then and now, if that was Jagr or Crosby today and the three rivers would flood that town with tears. Pelti is 100% right. The replay never lies. Stevens elbow hit Lindros's chin!!!! One more thing about Stevens, I remember him ducking at the second to avoid a check into board from LeClaire.— bigphillydad
- Has the referee that called the penalty been disciplined? The Panthers broadcast team never said what the penalty was so I didn't find out it was interference until reading about the game today. Interference? Are you kidding me? Booth had just let go of the puck at the time of the hit. The ref panicked at the situation and the resultant 5-minute mistake could've changed the game. Good thing the Flyers completely dominated the Panthers last night never letting them back in the game, even with a 5 on 3 tacked on at the end of the major.— vafan
- I was shocked to read that there was no suspension. Then I read the article and saw that Colin Campbell was not involved in the decsion making, and then it all made sense to me. What we've learned here is that the Flyers can get a fair shake from the NHL as long as that closet NY Ranger Colin Campbell is not involved in the process. I bet right now there's steam coming out of his ears. We know if he was involved Richards gets 5 games for that.— cnova000
- First, I'm a Flyers fan. It was a cheap hit - Richard's claim that he was trying to separate him from the puck is nonsense - Booth had already passed the puck. He was headhunting. And you don't have to throw an elbow or leave your feet to headhunt— terrid
Cheap shot by Richards, how would he like to recieve that?— primo- CleanupPhilly, there was no elbow. Shoulder to the head is a legal hit. Maybe you should watch roller derby since you have a better understanding of their rules.— JS27
- A lot of commenters apparently didn't see the hit: Richards never got the elbow up. If he had, he absolutely would have been suspended, and he probably would have deserved it, too.— DiTurno
- Richards reputation saved him a suspension. I'm both a Flyers fan and a hockey fan. That hit deserved a suspension for how high he hit him. I don't think Richards wanted to hurt him, but players need to stop hitting heads of other players.— EC1981
- Don't know why he was penalized in the first place is the NHL going to give Richards back the time he missed for a bad call!!!!— sawgrass
- He didn't throw and elbow or leave his feet # 8 in Washington leaves his feet everytime he hits someone. His elbow was tucked, watch the video!!— sawgrass
- terrid you really need to learn about the sport it is a hard hitting game, richy did not lead with the elbow or leave his feet, you can't expect a guy to stop on a dime from high speed to 0 in a spilt second.— xterra2007
- Terrid, your a pens fan saying your a Flyers fan. Booth was admiring his pass and got creamed. This is a man's sport. Or at least it used to be. Richards is one of the classiest acts in all sports. How many times did this happen to a Flyer(being hit) with not even a penalty let alone a suspension.— Iceman65
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- how could you call that a cheap hit. he is coming across the middle of the ice and he had the puck a split second before the hit. booth should have had his head on a swivel. he prob wont do that ever again— bruiser81
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- For all Booth is fine. He is walking around he will be playing again. just a consussion.. Richy should not have been suspened right call. Dion Phnuff had the same hit against an Islanders player in the perseaon and no suspension was given— xterra2007
- Unfortunately, it was a clean hit. Richards was coming across the ice for the puck. Booth had just passed the puck and was still watching that play complete. Their trajectories were badly timed.— GratefulYid
- This kind of thing happens in hockey. Usually it seems to that the Flyers are on the receiving end, so maybe for most fans that makes it ok this time. It just seems like this is the type of play that could kill someone, and that is where it just goes a bit too far, in my opinion.— BIGEGLFAN
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- terrid - youre incredibly wrong. you have the luxury of watching in slow motion. this was a very clean hit, with shoulder, feet planted. Booth unfortunately turned into the hit. the speed of the game is not comparable on TV from live. its FAST. I hope Booth recovers fully and quickly, but this wasn't anything more than an unfortunate incident.
- CleanupPhilly, the first thing that we can do to clean up is educate people. Watch the hit before making a stupid comment. Then, don't make a stupid comment at all. This will, at the very least, clean up this comment section...
- the hit was late, but clean. the nhl should stop ALL head shots. bobby orr and a few others have been behind this for years. i'm sure lindros, kariya and now booth would agree.— stanley
- not a cheap hit. It's the NHL not MLB. Steves hit Lindros the same way. It was clean then too— kevem
- Some of the comments on here are comical. Terrid and others: Richards did not "leave his feet" and he did not "throw an elbow." Hell, the Panthers broadcasters didn't even claim as much. Whether it was interference is debatable, but I understand the refs feeling like they had to do something when a team's best player gets knocked out. I can live with this result.
- As a secondary comment, it is a shame that amidst this whole Richards hit ordeal, the fact that Aaron Asham and Daniel Briere are on fire has been totally lost in the shuffle. Total props to both of them for picking up their game.
- i am an avid flyers fan, but call it for what it is, a dirty cheap shot, that could have been avoid. Richards saw an opportunity to take a free hit, and raise his shoulder to hit booth in the head. Dirty cheap shot, they should get a 5 game suspension— brianf89
- I suppose if your're a Flyers fan you're glad. I have no idea what the league was looking at but that was about as brutal a cheap shot as I've seen without using a stick. If that's ok then it's open season on Flyer players.— amgabber
- Terrid, this is easy to do watch..... I AM A PANTHERS FAN, and I was to say this was a clean hit. Shoulder to head/upper body about .5 sec after he passes. Very good hockey.— shady24
- I don't think anyone who's played a game of hockey would call that a cheap hit or a suspendable offense. It was a penalty, technically, because he no longer had the puck - the fact that Richie might not have been sure about that doesn't make it any less of an interference call. But people who are saying it was an elbow (!) to the head, or even headhunting at all are exaggerating for effect. It was an open ice hit that happens all the time - unfortunately Booth got hurt, and no one ever wants that. But to use the result as a way of retroactively calling the check anything more than what it was is ridiculous.— elpel
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- I Love how these people try to justify something by saying "I am a Flyers fan, but this was HORRIBLE! "The worse hit they have seen without a stick" Really? Then this must be your first hockey game you've seen. I was a hard hit. People are looking at the result. IF Booth was not injured, we wouldn't even be talking about this. I was a shame Booth was injured, but to say he deserved a suspension, would make hockey a Non-contact sports.— shady24
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- honestly it just looks like a nasty accident. clumsy, even. there's no way there was intent to injure behind that.— meghanleigh
- Mike Richards never struck me as a headhunter. Hockey is an intense sport and sometimes people get really hurt. It was right to throw him out of the game and that's where it should end.— Greg V.
- I totally agree with Terrid: It was a high shot to the jaw - absolutely no reason for the hit to that area. As a 33 year Flyers fan, I am shocked and disappointed that Richards was suspended for a minimum of 6 games. This will open the door for further goonery. A clean hit is a good hit; this was not clean, it was cheap.— eagle8
- terrid..... WRONG!! It wasn't a cheap hit. It's so very easy to sit and watch the TV replay in super slow motion, from 6 different angles. Things happen on the ice in a instant. I really believe that neither were paying enought atterntion to where they were going. The oblighation is CLEARLY on the Florida player to keep his head up, and watch out, especially skating across the blue line. It's hockey, and a sometimes dangerous and scary game. You a correct, Booth had already released the puck, maybe half a second to a second before the hit, Richards can't just STOP and TURN, it ain't that easy. Learn the game if you're going to claim to be a fan. John R— way cool jr
- A hard, nasty hit....but completely within the rules. The League got it right and I applaud their courage to not bow to the crybabies.— CityOfBrotherlyThugs
- Richards never leaves his feet. His left foot is clearly still on the ice and his right comes off the ice after falling off balance after the hit. If another player had done this to the Flyers it would be construed that the Flyer should be more careful and keep his head up. If Booth's jaw is not the area of impact then he probably gets up and skates away. Anytime a Flyer delivers a hit it's dirty ala Broad Street Bully tactics. After all these years the hate and prejudice towards this team continues. Scott Stevens is a hall of famer for delivering such hits. The difference is he's not in the orange and black.Glad to see Campbell had to stay out of the decision he's a career Flyer hater.— crupi8
- its obvious that some of you have never played hockey. Richards laid a clean hit on him, did NOT leave his feet and did NOT lead with an elbow. It would have been a shoulder to shoulder check if Booth hadn't passed the puck and then changed direction towards Richards at the last second. No intent to injure. Good job on this call, NHL.— Dave
- Most importantly, I hope David Booth is ok and returns to the ice soon. Beyond that, ferocious hits happen every day in the NHL. They are a regular part of ESPN's top 10 plays of the day (unless someone gets hurt.) Smells like 20 -20 hindsight justice when the degree of injury is used to determine the legality of the hit.— timpduffy
- Booth had his head down, clean hit.— pitzdidg
- I would have been fine with a suspension on Richie, providing the ruling would stand for every future instancne, in trying to eliminate dangerous hits from the game. IN that regard, I think the NHL made the wrong decision. Teams and players would learn to adjust to making solid defensive plays on players playing with their head down; regardless the new standard would apply to all teams, possibly leading to more offense. Richie knew or should have known Booth was in a vulnerable position and did have time to respond differently. In most cases, players are aware of when an opposing player is in a vulnerable postion, and should have enough time to respond appropriately to prevent these kind of dangerous hits. As a Flyers fan, and a hockey fan, I do think the wrong decision was made by the league, in the more important interest of protecting the players.— smacklby
- It was a crossing pattern. Booth could have held on to the puck a bit more before passing. richards doesn't know what Booth is going to do, so he plans on checking him shoulder to shoulder. Then at the last second, Booth passes and turns to face Richards. Look at the play full speed. It would be an amazing play if Richards was able to hold up. I don't know if there's away to fix the problem, other than better/madatory head gear. Cause if it's not mandatory, then players won't wear it for fear that it'll impact their game. Again, look at it in slow motion, but also look at it in full speed...— CAFlyers
- terrid you are not a Flyers fan, if you were you would know that Richards is not that type of player. I bet you own an #87 penguins jersey.— jacdjc1
- Lindros was skating thru center ice looking at his skates that hit was far worse then this one— Goodhands
- flyers fan for 25 years. Someone is going to die soon.— T3rdEyevisual
- eff all you idiots who say it was a dirty hit. i'm glad he did it. if you don't want to get hurt, join a sewing circle instead of pro sports.— beezer77
- Terrid, in no way was that cheap! That is the way to play hockey. Some one comes across the the blue line with the puck he needs to take a hit. If you've ever played hockey you'd understand. The way it's taught is "don't back up to give up the blueline, put pressure on the offensive attack". They also teach "keep you're head up on the ice" which would've helped in this situation. I'm glad the Flyers are playing "tough" hockey, we won't win a Stanley Cup any other way! Glad to see Booth is ok!— johnnyem
- What stupid, pansy, whiny little non hockey fans some of these posters are! There was nothing more than a good hit by Richie on that play. Intent to injure? Headhunting? Get real freaking losers. I'm a Flyers fan but I'm also an all around hockey fan. I'd be the first person to say it was a dirty hit, whether it was a Flyer or not. The hit came a split second after Booth passed the puck and Richie was already in mid check. Do any of you so called fans even know how hard it is to stop yourself in that situation? There was no elbow, he did not charge, and did not leave his feet to throw the check. It was very unfortunate to see a player get hurt like that but these guys are HOCKEY players! This sort of incident comes with the territory. It was a very tough lesson for a kid to learn but he will think twice before admiring his own play again.— dj.curly
- Until the league gives out 5 min or game suspensions for hits to the head, these things will happen. If that hit was on a Flyer, I would have hoped they would suspend the player. What concerns me now is Richards is a marked man and hopefully they don't take it out on him right before the playoffs. I am surprised that he did not get some type of a suspension given the vendetta of the league against the Flyers.— Scobie1
- terrid, i dont believe you are a flyers fan for a second. If you reviewed the hit you will see you cant even say one mississippi before richards hits booth. he does not leave his feet till AFTER the hit, and he tucks his shoulder down. he is NOT head hunting, it was a clean hit and the NHL got it right for once. im willing to bet your are a leafs or refguins fan because we get plenty of those trolls here.— PhoenixFlyer
- richards didn't leave his feet & it was a shoulder not an elbow still "might" have been a penalty...deserving of a suspension...probably not if it had happened to a flyer...we'd all be screaming for one lets just hope booth recovers quickly— glennreeder
- Elpel, it should NOT have been a penalty. Read NHL rule 56.1: ""The last player to touch the puck, other than the goalkeeper, shall be considered the player in possession. The player deemed in possession of the puck may be checked legally, provided the check is rendered immediately following his loss of possession."— Blueliner
- It was a very bad hit, but there wasn't a malicious intent. It may be a bit dirty to try to hit a player from behind, but Richard's attempt to hit Booth from behind was in no way intended to hit Booth in the head, which was a freak accident as Booth turned his head into Richard's shoulder. (If not for that, Richards would have missed him.) It is a very difficult decision by the NHL, but either side could have won the argument, which to me meant that it wasn't malicious. Richard's does not have a history of dirty plays, and I'll just leave it at that.— trungy
- No difference then when Umberger got hit, and that wasn't a suspension either. I'm glad the nhl is showing some consistency.— ChrisM
- bibphillydad...right on with your recollection of that maggot Stevens..and of course the loser in Pittsburgh when they cheered Kasperitus cheap shotting Lindros...high fives..happy faces..but I"ll say it again not ONE Flyer retaliated..not one..Eric was a target for all of the goons in hockey with nary a hint of payback from the Flyers..a great talent left out there by Clarkie....and when Lindros finally gets a shot at the Cup..Clark gives him a washed up HExtall and a guy wearing a curtain rod in his jersey..and yes, I recall that sub human ducking under LeClair's check..
- The hit was within the rules. How is Richards suppossed to know that Booth doesn't have the puck and start skating with it? It's not like what Hunter did to Turgeon years ago after Turgeon scored and Hunter hit him 15 seconds later. Learn the game of hockey people. And stop saying I'm a Flyers fan but.....— Iceman65
- I'm a Flyers fan and I don't think the shoulder was a cheap shot, but I could swear that Richards leaves his feet right before the hit.— riles1875
- Anyone who thinks Richie was going for Booth's head needs to watch the video again. One split-second difference in timing, and less of a last-second turn on Booth's part, and that hit would've been shoulder-to-shoulder. Booth had barely, _barely_ gotten rid of the puck when it happened. Fractions of a second changed that play from a spectacular hit to, well, a spectacular hit with very unfortunate consequences. The players know the possible consequences of playing the game include being injured like that. If some of you don't like it, there are other sports for you to watch instead.— WestCoastDavid
- Come on Terrid. Did you even watch the play? Richards never left his feet, and he had his elbow tucked. Richards hit Booth with his shoulder. And Booth had JUST released the puck,making it a momentum hit.— woodyinc
- THEY FORGET THE HITS LINDROS TOOK YEARS AGO. NOT CHEAP AT ALL!!!— JAMES MALONE
- Blueliner, it's possible by the letter of the law that's true - but you and I have both seen that hits on a player without the puck are typically called interference, whether he just recently had it or not (that's where the subjectivity comes in - what constitutes "immediately" in that rule is where the refs have been really strict). It just seems to be the way the calls go - so I'm just saying I wouldn't be surprised if he was penalized for interference - but the five minute thing was not commensurate with the infraction, it was a reaction to the result of Booth hitting the ice.— elpel
- These are the Stevens/Lindros, Kunitz/Timonen, and Campbell/Umberger hits. None of them were penalties, if I recall. Certainly no one got suspended for them. I post these just to demonstrate that these kinds of hits are part of the game. I just watched the Booth hit again - at the very beginning, it actually looks like Booth looks right at Richards and sees him coming too - I'm not sure, obviously, but it certainly looks (to my eyes, at least) that Booth may have even been aware of richards in the area. Don't know if that changes anything, but it was something I was surprised to see. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtVWdYjNPts http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16Z7-XRPcrw— elpel
- Good ruling....there shouldnt have even been a penalty for the hit. Anyone that thinks this hit was dirty needs to understand that hockey is and always has been a hard hitting game. If you dont like it dont watch it. I wish Booth a fast and full recovery and hope his injuries aren't serious.— Flyers18
- The Big difference was that Kunitz and Campbell were pretty clearly headhunting, pushing the shoulder up into the victims head. Stevens led with his elbow, it was a set play the devils used all the time, where the two trapping forwards would funnel the skater to the thug who would try to end careers. All three of those hits were much more vicious and intentional than what Richards did. Richards lined up a body hit, but Booth slowed down as he passed, causing richards to hit him from the front, not the side. Richards also visibly dropped his shoulder into the hit, which is the most blatant tell that he was not head hunting.— Pelti
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- All of you people continuing to bring up the Lindros-Stevens incident-don't you realize that because of hits like that that the NHL is cracking down on hits to the head. And this was clearly a hit to the head. So it just became open season for any player with or without the puck to get drilled. So Richie, be warned, keep your head on a swivel at all times.— Birdie17
- Scott Stevens levels Lindros and it is called a good tough play. Richards hit the same. Both hits were unnecessary however.— JBP
- find it funny everyone thinks it was such a clean hit... now if it was richards on the receiving end and no penalty called or suspension im sure we'd have the flyers crazies yelling how the nhl has a conspiracy against the flyers... haha— Sillies
- Just another reason not to watch hockey.— notsofast
- richards would never purposlly try to injure anyone. I'm suprised and glad that the nhl got the call right. As ashame as it is, Booth is at fault for keeping his head down, and especailly at the end when he brought his face into richards arm. The penatly given to Richards was much more then he even deserved, and im not sure where the ref came up with an interfearance call anyway— soccergal
- it's a clean hit by the rules (a la Stevens on Lindros)... but the rules should be changed. no hit from the chin up (even if using your shoulder) should be legal.— JesseH
- The Campbell hit on Umberger did get a suspension and if I recall correctly, it didn't even draw a penalty. Shot to the head and technically, feet were off the ice. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fkp9qv15dA. Terrid, three steps. In my opinion, both hits are part of the game.— rpzon
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- vafan, why should the referee be disciplined? Because he wasn't suspended, that means there should not have been a penalty? You definitely are not a hockey fan!! And the five minute penalty was probably called because there was an intent to injure, which any referee can call.— Birdie17
- richards never left his and it was his shoulder that hit him not his elbow— bigboy350
- That was not a dirty hit. I am a Flyers fan. If one of the Flyers was on the end of that hit I would feel the same way that it wasn't a dirty hit. If you watch it in slow motion of course it looks like a dirty hit. After Booth passed the puck there was no time for Richards to stop. Yo CleanupPhilly learn what an elbow is and learn what a shoulder is. Let me guess CleanupPhilly your a Penguins fan?
- If anybody thinks that if that hit was on Richards then it would deserve a suspension, they are not true fans. If it were dirty then no matter who threw the check or who received the check, there should be a suspension. The fact is that it was not in any way a dirty hit. Let's face it, for years we've all been crying foul over the leagues handling of the Flyers so it stands to reason that if this were remotely close to being a cheap shot there would be a major suspension. Booth got his bell rang and I'm sure that when he can see straight again he will watch the replay and see that it was clean and he should keep his head up. Good to see he was not seriously injured because he is a promising young player with a bright future in the NHL.(If he keeps his head up)— dj.curly
- this was in no way a cheap or dirty hit. i was at the game last night n the refs didnt call the penalty until they realized how badly booth was hurt which goes to show they originally thought it was clean..terrid and cleanupphilly maybe you should stop watchin ice hockey cuz neither of you know what you are talking about..he led with his shoulder, booth had his head down, and richie just caught him comin across...it was a good clean hit that just had a bad result— PhillySports23
- terrid - your a doop - he didnt leave his feet - a guy enjoyed his pass and got smoked coming over the middle - stop being a suzie this is hockey and you arent a flyer fan so stop acting -— jj12
Seravalli! After practically suggesting that Richards should be suspended, the league saw it in a more realistic light. Next time, report, don't advocate!— Nihilist- If you look at the video on a frame by fram basis, you can see that both of Richards' skates are in contact with the ice surface at the time of his contact with Booth. Therefore, the evidence shows that he did not leave his feet at the time of the hit, and the hit was a clean hit. It was shoulder to head contact and not a "dirty hit" as claimed by the Florida Panther's announcing team. Richards should njot have been penalized at all for a hard but clean hit. A 5 minute major and game misconduct was a completely inappropriate penaly and much too severe for the circumstances. I think the Flyers are still being penalized based on long standing reputation rather than merit. So I disagree that it was a cheap hit. It was a "hockey" hit, nothing more.— strafford1
- That's a cheap shot. Just imagine if that was done to one of the Flyers players? You would all be outraged that he wasn't being suspended. it was a dirty hit, period.— jbruder02
- It was a cheap hit and everyone is missing the point. Richards didnt leave his feet, but Booth had passed the puck a second or two before Richards hit him. Richards should have pulled up. Once a guy passes the puck he should have an expectation of not being blindsided. Sorry Mike, sorry Flyer's fans this is one the league should have made a suspension on if it is serious about eliminating head shots.— 10andfitz
- Same hit Stevens put on Lindros and Paul Kariya. Stop crying.— Nezhy
- Ok, for those claiming it was a "dirty" hit or a "cheap" hit, please state why. He hit Booth less than half a second after Booth passed the puck. Booth turned and put his head low (because of the turn). You can say Richards should have let up, but don't call it illegal. Players who play the game the way it should be play their hearts out every play, following up their checks, etc.— xganarchyx
- Of course it was a cheap shot! A blind-side head shot after the player passed the puck. "Richie" didn't catch the replay b/c he was to busy riding a stationary bike, but heck, he "respects" the game. Didn’t “intend” to injure by planting his shoulder on his chin. The Flyers organization fell all over themselves excusing the head hunting as just part of the game. The act and the result can’t be separated. What does that say about the game of hockey? The Panthers lack a goon, so by hockey's twisted logic they were free to be abused (Daniel Carcillo takes a run at their 18 year old fist round pick - Dmitry Kulikov). I bet the team was looking to pound a few Panthers after they beat the Flyers in South Florida last week. At least this puts to rest the Flyers incessant crying that the league only protects Crosby, Malkin and Ovechkin. Richards definitely got a free pass on this one!
- This was absolutely the right call. All I could think of was Stevens laying out Lindros in almost the same spot on the ice. It was a totally legal hit, and I'm glad Booth only had a concussion.— CrazyIvan
- Denny128 I was going to say the same thing!— Sabeflyers
- flippertop "Of course it was a cheap shot! A blind-side head shot after the player passed the puck. "Richie" didn't catch the replay b/c he was to busy riding a stationary bike, but heck, he "respects" the game. Didn’t “intend” to injure by planting his shoulder on his chin." It was a LEGAL hit. You can have your opinion on whether it was a "cheap shot", but what was Richards to do? Once he saw Booth lower his head when he turned, was Richards supposed to dive out of the way of his check he lined up? These plays happen extremely fast, Richards didn't have time to check with Booth if he was ready to be hit.— xganarchyx
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Frank Seravalli
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