Lucic vs Miller

Originally Posted by Hockey School Dropout

I've always been a supporter of the idea that if the goalie is beyond a reasonable distance from his crease, he's fair game.

You and I might agree on that point, but the NHL does not:

42.1 Charging
A goalkeeper is not “fair game” just because he is outside the goal crease area. The appropriate penalty should be assessed in every case where an opposing player makes unnecessary contact with a goalkeeper. However, incidental contact, at the discretion of the Referee, will be permitted when the goalkeeper is in the act of playing the puck outside his goal crease provided the attacking player has made a reasonable effort to avoid such contact.

By these rules, Lucic should have been given a penalty, as he was. While the principal point of contact wasn't the head, I do think because of the results he should be made an example of why you don't charge a goalie. It's one thing to check on, but it's another thing to charge into time, blasting him over, and giving him a concussion. That's two goalies this year already through unnecessary contact with the head, and something needs to be done about it. When goalies wearing ultraprotective masks are getting concussions, there's a problem.

I am not sure what is wrong with goalies these days. Maybe Miller got the concussion when he fell backwards after he was sitting on the ice.. I cant tell if he hit his head or not, but I don't think the hit should have caused a concussion. Going back to my initial statement...this hit and the hit on reimer both should have been shrugged off. Both plays to me look harmless. I don't understand why goalies are embellishing stuff like this so much. I understand they have medical personnel checking them out and stuff but come on. I have been run over quite a few times in my career and never sat out with "whiplash" or a concussion. I am not saying im tough or an all star or pumping my tires.. it just seems goalies in the nhl are milking every time they get touched. Luongo also got a little tap recently and stayed on the ice as if he got shot. I don't get it. So that would be my take. lol

I think that Miller didn't play the body or initiate contact, Miller had already stopped, and shot the puck to the boards when Lucic made the hit. That's my only beef with the play. If Miller still had the puck, then I agree with the fair game thoughts, but ALL players (skaters and goalies alike) should use descretion, and Lucic did not.

As a Sabres fan, I wish Lucic was suspended. As a hockey fan, it was a clean hit and shouldn't be disciplined further.

(That's just my opinion though)

Its a hit that could of been avoided, didnt need to be made, and was possibly a little late.... Penalty yes, suspension maybe maybe not I have seen a lot worse both ignored and given.

Originally Posted by Scottish

Its a hit that could of been avoided, didnt need to be made, and was possibly a little late.... Penalty yes, suspension maybe maybe not I have seen a lot worse both ignored and given.

What Scottish said.

In Lucic's post game interview he said that he was focused on the puck and didn't see Miller just standing there. Huh?! I didn't like the hit, but I'd have more respect for Lucic had he just said that Miller was out of the crease playing the puck and that he was fair game. To lie when questioned about it is just snarky.

I wish Miller would have been more aggressive and prepared for the hit.. He should have assumed this NHL player coming full stride wasnt going to peel off.
Miller could have had a solid stance and dropped his shoulder and messed Lucic up...
Now that would have been priceless.. but Miller went out like it was men's beer league and this forward will just peel off and not dare even come close...
not so much..
reality really bit his ego/lack of judgement in the backside.
I know i have done it.. i have seen the forward coming knowing full well i am going to get decked. and dropped my shoulder. i got put on my butt..
but so did he.
Just my 2 cents.

Go Enroth! :)
Cheers
Jim

Originally Posted by jim**

Go Enroth! :)

Who knows, maybe (This is wishful thinking also) it's more of a concussed ego than concussed head, and this time off will help him relax and get his head back in the game. And having Enroth as a back up isn't the worst thing in the world.

GO SABRES!

What i heard around the rink on Saturday was Miller isnt the happiest camper.. He is a newlywed and the wifey is living on the West coast and he is here.
Not the most ideal situation...

He may just need a roadtrip to the west coast more often.
Cheers
Jim