Jordan Boutilier: Avalanche Force Game 7, Cogliano Fractures Neck

It's really tiresome at this point bemoaning how embarrassing this league and its application of the rules/safety enforcement is. I can't believe Cogzy came back and played, it looked like an arm injury but with the way Eberle mashed his head in it's no surprise. Hopefully he has a full and fast recovery.
Best way to make Eberle pay is suspend him and his team from the playoffs with a big win tomorrow. Gotta score a power play goal eventually and hopefully this is the breakthrough game.

(frank)ing losers. It was a bad hit but wasn’t deliberate or violent. Too bad it wasn’t Makar.

You must be as "Numb" as this comment is stupid.

Well Jordan, that take is about as homerish as it gets. Both hits were equally bad. Biggest difference is that Eberle was playing the puck during live play and Makar was not. Makar targeted a player after the puck was out of play.

So please explain how the intent was different for Eberle than it was for Makar. Body language on both hits look completely different. Eberles (during play)looks like a hockey play while Makars (after play)looks aggressive and borderline malicious.

I think most hockey fans can see the difference.

Well Jordan, that take is about as homerish as it gets. Both hits were equally bad. Biggest difference is that Eberle was playing the puck during live play and Makar was not. Makar targeted a player after the puck was out of play.

So please explain how the intent was different for Eberle than it was for Makar. Body language on both hits look completely different. Eberles (during play)looks like a hockey play while Makars (after play)looks aggressive and borderline malicious.

I think most hockey fans can see the difference.
- MnGump

I agree both hits were bad. Makar deserved to be suspended for his, it was a dumb play made by a generally smart player. Makar takes the responsibility on needing to know there's no puck there before throwing a hit, even tho the whistle hadn't gone. I'm not defending makars hit vs eberle. Both are bad, bother are suspendable. There's not much about hitting a guy in the numbers that says to me "hockey play", but each are entitled to their own opinions.

I agree both hits were bad. Makar deserved to be suspended for his, it was a dumb play made by a generally smart player. Makar takes the responsibility on needing to know there's no puck there before throwing a hit, even tho the whistle hadn't gone. I'm not defending makars hit vs eberle. Both are bad, bother are suspendable. There's not much about hitting a guy in the numbers that says to me "hockey play", but each are entitled to their own opinions.
- Jordan Boutilier

Yeah but your opinion is wrong

Well Jordan, that take is about as homerish as it gets. Both hits were equally bad. Biggest difference is that Eberle was playing the puck during live play and Makar was not. Makar targeted a player after the puck was out of play.

So please explain how the intent was different for Eberle than it was for Makar. Body language on both hits look completely different. Eberles (during play)looks like a hockey play while Makars (after play)looks aggressive and borderline malicious.

I think most hockey fans can see the difference.
- MnGump

Finishing a check =/= trying to paralyze someone. "Looks like a hockey play"... lmao gtfo you dumb ass.

Finishing a check =/= trying to paralyze someone. "Looks like a hockey play"... lmao gtfo you dumb ass.
- ddMoose

Simply stating opinion and having a discussion, but maybe that’s too difficult for you to keep up with? Usually the sign of low intelligence when immediate response is to throw out insults.

Simply stating opinion and having a discussion, but maybe that’s too difficult for you to keep up with? Usually the sign of low intelligence when immediate response is to throw out insults.
- MnGump

You might want to take a moment and reflect on the irony of what you're doing here. Let me know if you need help figuring it out.

I agree both hits were bad. Makar deserved to be suspended for his, it was a dumb play made by a generally smart player. Makar takes the responsibility on needing to know there's no puck there before throwing a hit, even tho the whistle hadn't gone. I'm not defending makars hit vs eberle. Both are bad, bother are suspendable. There's not much about hitting a guy in the numbers that says to me "hockey play", but each are entitled to their own opinions.
- Jordan Boutilier

I will respectfully disagree. Both are not suspendable plays.

"Hockey play" is simply a term used in reference to what would be deemed or considered a normal or legal hockey play during the course of live play ie. throwing a check, lifting a players stick, skating, taking a shot etc... as opposed to a non hockey play ie. Cross checking, slashing, charging or launching, elbowing or any number of infractions that would result in penalty.

I didnt' see anything about Eberle's play that didnt look like a hockey play. Cogliano was off balance and went into the boards awkwardly.

We see this play at least a dozen times a game. It's just that most of the time the player getting checked either protects himself or turns away from being boarded. In this instance, he was off balance and went head first. There did not appear to be any intent other than to make a play on the puck.

The same argument cannot be made for the Makar hit. There was clearly intent on his part to hit a player after the play was over. Not a "hockey play".

You might want to take a moment and reflect on the irony of what you're doing here. Let me know if you need help figuring it out.
- ddMoose

Exactly what is Ironic about a fan of hockey commenting in a hockey blog? Are you sure you have an understanding of the definition of the word Irony?

Exactly what is Ironic about a fan of hockey commenting in a hockey blog? Are you sure you have an understanding of the definition of the word Irony?
- MnGump

Using a back handed insult and then declaring that using insults is a sign of low intelligence is ironic. I am actually disappointed that I have to explain this.

You've come in to this board and you're trying to convince people that checking a man who is bent over, with his numbers directly facing you, something that has been decried as a terrible play that needs to be removed from the game, is a perfectly acceptable "hockey play." According to your post directly above this one, it's not even as bad as Makar shoulder checking a man that gave up on the play before a whistle. Come on.

You also state that we see plays like Eberle's "a dozen times a game." I mean I'm pretty sure you don't, but what you do see are players finishing their checks as a puck rims around the boards. You see that all game long, and no gives a crap because 99% of the time no one gets hurt since they are going to the whistle.

Maybe this is your genuine, honest opinion. If it is... well it certainly is an opinion. But it reads like trolling.

Using a back handed insult and then declaring that using insults is a sign of low intelligence is ironic. I am actually disappointed that I have to explain this.

You've come in to this board and you're trying to convince people that checking a man who is bent over, with his numbers directly facing you, something that has been decried as a terrible play that needs to be removed from the game, is a perfectly acceptable "hockey play." According to your post directly above this one, it's not even as bad as Makar shoulder checking a man that gave up on the play before a whistle. Come on.

You also state that we see plays like Eberle's "a dozen times a game." I mean I'm pretty sure you don't, but what you do see are players finishing their checks as a puck rims around the boards. You see that all game long, and no gives a crap because 99% of the time no one gets hurt since they are going to the whistle.

Maybe this is your genuine, honest opinion. If it is... well it certainly is an opinion. But it reads like trolling.
- ddMoose

Take it how you want, whether you agree with my opinion or not, you're take is just plain wrong. Eberle doesn't hit Cogliano between the numbers, he actually hits him under his right arm on his right side. Have you watched the play over? Cogliano is turning his left side to the boards as Eberle starts his check. In real time, yes, it looks egregious, but if you watch it again, it's Eberle's left arm into the right underarm area of Cogliano. In no way is this a hit to the numbers.

Take it how you want, whether you agree with my opinion or not, you're take is just plain wrong. Eberle doesn't hit Cogliano between the numbers, he actually hits him under his right arm on his right side. Have you watched the play over? Cogliano is turning his left side to the boards as Eberle starts his check. In real time, yes, it looks egregious, but if you watch it again, it's Eberle's left arm into the right underarm area of Cogliano. In no way is this a hit to the numbers.
- MnGump

No, I'm pretty sure that it isn't wrong to interpret that making a dangerous hit when you know it's going to be dangerous is a bad play. I said that his numbers were facing him. It doesn't matter if the principal point of contact is his arm, he could plainly see that Cogliano was in a vulnerable position, if checks him here he's going to board him dangerously. He knows that, but he does it anyway. This is an indefensible hit.

This video perfectly sums up how I feel about it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9_yEVAZcZI

No, I'm pretty sure that it isn't wrong to interpret that making a dangerous hit when you know it's going to be dangerous is a bad play. I said that his numbers were facing him. It doesn't matter if the principal point of contact is his arm, he could plainly see that Cogliano was in a vulnerable position, if checks him here he's going to board him dangerously. He knows that, but he does it anyway. This is an indefensible hit.

This video perfectly sums up how I feel about it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9_yEVAZcZI
- ddMoose

Sure, slowing it down frame by frame is going to allow you to nitpick to support your narrative, but in real time it’s a bang bang play.

I agree it was a dangerous hit. But IMO, there’s no proof to suggest intent to injure. Which is what defines “dirty”. That is how Jordan characterized the play. I personally disagree with that take. Dangerous yes, dirty no.

Oh well. Too much adversity, too much to overcome on and off the ice, especially with a skeleton crew and a worthless bottom pair of lines. Still, winning the division is a lot to be proud of with what they had to work with. Happy they got another cup, and with the window this wide open they'll be back for more next year.

Oh well. Too much adversity, too much to overcome on and off the ice, especially with a skeleton crew and a worthless bottom pair of lines. Still, winning the division is a lot to be proud of with what they had to work with. Happy they got another cup, and with the window this wide open they'll be back for more next year.
- ddMoose

Rough year in terms of personnel leaving and injuries. Kudos to the champs for 1. being champs and 2. for doing what they did with what they had. Time to re-group and go big next year

Have to say I’m surprised. I personally wrote this squad off mid season. The way this team heated up over the last month of the season I thought they were going back to back.

Your content is excellent and fascinating, and as a result, I now know more helpful stuff. I'll continue to read your posts retro bowl if you keep them engaging.