Toronto Escorts

Belak and Messier

beaver cleaner

New member
Jun 26, 2003
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0
I am surprised that this didn't come up yet today. Is it fair to assume that Messier, who clearly speared a guy in the groin, only gets suspended for 2 games because the league wants to let him have his retirement party for the last few games of the year? If the league had some guts, they would have sent him and all the players in the league a message.

He should have retired 5 years ago, so instead of punishing him, they let him get away with a viscious shot.

I am starting to agree with Ken Dryden taht the league has to rip it all down and start over. I am even starting to think that fighting in hockey just ain't such a good idea. You can't have 2 levels of law enforcement, some by the players, when they deem a good smacking is in order, and some by the league for when they deem that they have gone over the line.

Well, that is all.

Go Leafs Go
 

The Doctor

Still Without Humour
Jun 2, 2003
2,319
1
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1060 West Addision
There was definitely some benefit given to Messier by the judge who just happened to get his only cup ring with the '94 Rangers as well. I guess they didn't want to have Messier miss his final farewell in New York next week as a result of a suspension. It was a deliberate spear, where as a reasonable argument could be made that Belak's high stick was truely accidental...it was really the butt end that was supposed to connect. :D
 

n_v

Banned
Aug 26, 2001
2,006
0
36
I believe the league missed an opportunity to make a message by giving Messier a longer suspension. Belak's uspension is fine with me as he went axe chopping on a guys head. And whether it is 2 games or 4 in the playoffs for Belak it makes no difference. With the depth the Leafs have he wasn't/isn't going to see a shift regardless. Messier should have received 4 or five games. 1 or two games to any player is a joke. Its a chance to reast a nagging injury. But have then sit for 10 days or more then you have chance for them to think of what they did and hit them in the pocket book alittle (although the millions they make it could be argued that this is irrelivent). At the end these two suspensions show us that 2 sets of rules apply to suspending players.
 

n_v

Banned
Aug 26, 2001
2,006
0
36
Originally posted by The Doctor It was a deliberate spear, where as a reasonable argument could be made that Belak's high stick was truely accidental...it was really the butt end that was supposed to connect. :D
Yes I am a Sens fan but I too think the league made a mistake in Havlat's suspension last month. He should have received 4 or 5 games, and that BEFORE the Bertuzzi hype. Giving soft suspensions like the one to Havlat and Messier just does not resonate with the players.
 

Goober Mcfly

Retired. -ish
Oct 26, 2001
10,125
11
38
NE
The NHL needs harsher penalties. The next suspension should include castration in some form.

</JMHO>
 

Double J

Member
May 28, 2002
324
1
18
49
Richmond Hill
I watched that Messier game since I'm a pens fan. I have always hated....and I mean HATED Messier. The thing that bugged me the most about is after he speared him, he stood over him as if to show him up. Poor Strabek (I believe it was him who got speared) didn't even do anything to him. A couple of light cross checks thats it.
 

shinjitsu

Member
Jul 7, 2002
624
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52
Toronto
Mess should have gotten season minus one game. Belak got what he deserved. One was a deliberate attempt to injure and the other one may have been slightly accidental but careless.
 

The Doctor

Still Without Humour
Jun 2, 2003
2,319
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1060 West Addision
Double J said:
Poor Strabek (I believe it was him who got speared) didn't even do anything to him. A couple of light cross checks thats it.
Wow you really must be a Pens fan because he did cross check him hard enough to knock him down.

I'm not disagreeing with Belak's suspension, but if he gets 8 games, Messier's deliberate spear should have warranted at least 5 or 6 games. Only problem with that is the Ranger's next three games are at home...after that they close out the season on the road. That would have meant Messier would have missed out on the Ranger's planned celebration for him. And if you look at it that way, missing all the home games and the tribute probably would have been a good punishment.
 

pistol

New member
Nov 7, 2001
107
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Messier

This is a travesty. 5 minute major - match penalties should result in automatic suspensions which escalate if the are repetitions within a cetain specified timeframe. Further, teams/coaches should fined as per a pre-arranged scale as suspensions mount throughout the season.
Because Messier is a legend, the NHL failed to do its job and a WRONG message has been sent at a critical moment.
Had the situations been reversed, would the same sanctions been imposed. Not bloody likely!
I am not a Leaf fan nor am I defending Belak. He got what he deserved. Messier was given a free pass by Colin Campbell.
The idea of having the players deal with suspensions is interesting. It makes the NHLPA become more accountable to all their members, whereas the NHL clearly believes it is accountable to ownership and the stars.
 

Tiger2578

Banned
Jan 15, 2004
156
0
0
Ottawa
Havlat should been gone for the season. Hockey needs to learn from baseball "Three strikes and you're OUT"

How a guy only gets two games for his third suspension of the season is beyond me.
 
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