So I figured I'd make a thread on this hit after the suspension Branch gave to Michael Liambas.
Personally I think it was way, way too harsh, the hit was clean, he didn't charge, he didn't jump, it was an unfortunate incident in a game where lets face it, people are going to get hurt, it's the nature of the game. Coaches teach defencemen to look before you come around the net, Fanelli didn't, it's unfortunate he got hurt as badly as he did, but I bet next time he comes around the net, he looks up.
I don't understand Branch's reasoning behind the suspension, if he wants to change the rules and take hitting out of the game, go ahead and try, but don't make it out like Liambas intentionally tried to hurt this kid. The same hit is made hundreds of times during a year, we used to run a drill where a puck is left behind the net and 2 players go and get it, it usually ended in a big ass collision, and no one was hurt, but you knew next time to be ready.
Oh yeah, in case you haven't seen it, here's the hit
11-06-2009, 04:57 PM
Proud Canadian 
