NHL (National Hilarity League) suspends Carcillo
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
NHL (National Hilarity League) suspends Carcillo
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Flyers left winger Dan Carcillo was given a four-game suspension by the NHL Sunday because of a game-altering
altercation in Saturday's 8-2 loss to visiting Washington.
"Decisions come down from the league. Do I agree with them all? No. I certainly do not agree with this one," general manager Paul Holmgren said. "We do not have a lot of recourse in this situation, Dan will serve his suspension and we will move on."
I understood Carcillo, being a repeat offender, getting suspended _ until I read the NHL's release on the reason behind its decision.
Carcillo, the league said, has been suspended four games, without pay (nearly $44,000) "as a result of a
deliberate blow to the face of Washington Capitals forward Matt Bradley."
Imagine that. A player getting into a fight and trying to hit his opponent in the face.
By the NHL's logic, I guess Carcillo wouldn't have been suspended if, say, he punched Bradley on the arm.
Call it the National Hilarity League. There's so much inconsistency in the penalties, suspensions and explanations that it's hilarious.
What the league should have said was this: Carcillo was suspended for not giving Bradley a chance to defend himself.
It also should have explained why Bradley was not given any penalties.
Carcillo appeared to get hit by Bradley’s high stick near the sideboards in Saturday's first period. Carcillo retaliated with a cross-check and dropped his gloves. Just as Bradley threw off his right glove as if he wanted to fight, Carcillo decked the Caps’ right winger with a right to his face.
Carcillo was penalized two minutes for cross checking, two minutes for instigation, five minutes for fighting, a 10-minute misconduct and a game misconduct.
Bradley got zero minutes.
New Flyers coach Peter Laviolette had a strict no-fighting policy when he coached in Carolina.
“Well, one it was the playoffs, and two we didn’t have a fighter,” Laviolette said after Saturday's loss. “The makeup of Carolina is completely different from the makeup of Philadelphia. I’m OK with Danny’s fight.”
But he wasn’t OK with the other stuff that went with it.
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Laviolette’s system is “completely different” than John Stevens’, defenseman Chris Pronger said.
“The way he wants to play, it needs to be more up tempo, there needs to be more skating and more outlet passes – guys getting available for the puck, guys wanting the puck."
At Sunday's practice, Laviolette made an impression on his players, who have lost seven of their last eight games.
"He was almost moving his feet more than we were," Scott Hartnell said. "He wants action, he wants a lot of stuff happening around the puck. I think this intensity is going to be contagious."
"Every coach is different. We're trying to change the systems a little bit, step by step," Claude Giroux said. "We aren't trying to do it all in the same day."
Ian Laperriere said Laviolette is more vocal than his predecessor.
"He does the drills with the boys. He was out of breath, so you can tell he hasn't coached for a while," Laperriere said. "It's good. He is in the mix and that is what we need right now. We need a boost. We need a spark and if it can come from him it would be great."
Mike Richards called it "a different approach to the offensive part of the game. There is a lot of cycling, a lot of movement; that's what we've been working on. It is going to take a little bit of time to get our systems down. But the pressure on the ice is going to be a lot better for us."
But will it translate into goals? That's the question. The Flyers have scored a total of four goals in their last four games (all losses), during which they are 0 for 15 on the power play.
I should say that I am suprised but from now on everytime there is a fight on any team, I want to see suspensions. Another Bonehead call by the rapidly declining NHL!!!!!!— jacdjc1- Did they suspend the official for a brutal call???— sugardoc54
- dumbest trade in flyers history.— LongestYard
- Great, that means that Cote is back in the lineup, I see another suspension in our future. Would someone please fire Holmgren another one of his great decisions has come back to haunt us!!! Any other great ideas homer?????? They seem to be working out so well!!!!!— jacdjc1
- LOL, just another step towards total ruin of this league. Awful— ChopItDown
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- Wow, this is by far and away the most ridiculous suspension in a league that constantly hands down ridiculous suspensions. The NHL has no fan base because it shots itself in the foot constantly. I miss old time hockey more than words can express...
- Four games for beating a guy to the punch. Absurd. At least Carcillo has a modicum of talent; that waste of space Cote needs to be jettisoned...— Brian F.
- Bradley s/b suspended 4 games for not being a man and respecting that aspect of the game!!!....What a little punk, DC gets suspended cause he was faster with the punch!!— CROSSI
- So I guess this means that who ever wins a fight now gets suspended? With the way this stupid league is now, we never would have won a cup in the past... the entire team would have been suspended.— colorado_al
- clean check by bradley...cross checked on his knees...definite instigator...sucker punch...4 games about right...another dumb goon...how d'ya like 8 goals against without ovie or knuble...serves them right...— amgabber
- Idiot. I'd say four games without his empty head will be an improvement for this team, but look at this team...... NHL is really bad now. Too many teams in the league and too many players lacking talent. Don't defend the play. It was stupid and he got what he deserved. Flyers think the way to play hockey is to just beat people up and "hit somebody." Not how the game is played anymore. Until they change their philosophy the Flyers will always be losers. The 70s are over. How long are we gonna keep clinging to those cups?— jibberjabber
- If Cote is in the lineup next game in his place, I'M DONE!!!! I've had it, they have plenty of skilled players in the minors, Cote is THE WORST player in the NHL today, he's a goon who can't fight.— Njtod10
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