Quote:
Originally Posted by Ahbroody
Geoff and Mike the league is trying to stop premeditated hits to the head. Where a player sees it and decides hes vulnerable I am going to wreck him. He takes the time goes out of his way and intends to injure. Weber hit very dirty infact arguably more dangerous. Difference is atleast I think is Weber is battling and snaps. Bitz sees a vulnerable player and decides to try to injure. He gets the elbow up takes multiple strides lines up the head and drives the elbow into the face and into the glass.
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I think you're reading waaaaaaay more intent into the Bitz hit than was ever there. Bitz was braced for a normal shoulder to body impact with a player playing the puck, he was not leading with his elbow. The only reason Bitz's elbow caught Clifford's head was because Clifford was low. Bitz should have absolutely recognized that Clifford was in a vulnerable position and pulled out of the check, the fact that he didn't is why that play was definitely worthy 5 and the game + a suspension. But intent to injure? On a play that in every other sense was a completely normal hockey play that happens dozens of time in every game? And especially when compared to Weber slamming Z's face into the glass after their game had ended? Not a chance.