You know, as a fan, you try to put yourself in the shoes of other teams/players, because you don't want anyone to be hurt playing hockey. You really don't. But you know what? The reason David Booth got smoked was because he was looking back at his pass while skating in the middle of the ice. That's insanity. If David Booth lets that pass go and pays attention to his surroundings, he doesn't get laid out. As a fan, I never cried when Eric Lindros got smoked, because bottom line, Lindros used to skate with his head down. Richards didn't charge, didn't elbow Booth in the head. From where Booth was on the ice and where he was going, he REALLY, REALLY, REALLY needed to look where HE was going, not where his pass went. Tough hit, but it's a tough sport.
When you watch the replay, especially in slow motion, Richards was coasting, not charging, crouched slightly, and tucked his arm to deliver a shoulder to shoulder hit. Just prior to impact, Booth turns his head (while leaning forward, as you do when skating forward) and takes the shoulder on his chin. It is unfortunate, unlucky for Booth, and you hope he suffers no long term effects. But it was the "perfect storm" in essence, as all those little things contributed to a clean, legal, and scary hit. But not dirty, certainly not with intent to injure, and the NHL has clearly takken that viewpoint by not suspending him.
Get back to me when Scott Stevens gets suspended. Since that'll never happen (since he doesn't play anymore), I don't care how bad the guy got hurt. BOO HOO!
you know if that was Carcillo or Asham they would have been suspended.
GORBB you are scum. Typical Flyers fan.
He didn't deserve a suspension. It was a clean hit in the middle of the ice. There should not have even been a penalty assessed. Keep your head up, you're in the pro's now.
