Red Wings @ Leafs - Dec. 21st, 7:00pm - CBC, Fan 590

[CarltonTheBear]

Another blown call by the refs.  A spear that misses the player is a double minor.  A spear they connects is a major penalty.  Oh well, who needs the rule book when you officiate in the NHL though.

Yup, from the rulebook:

Rule 62 ? Spearing
62.1 Spearing - Spearing shall mean stabbing an opponent with the point
of the stick blade, whether contact is made or not.
62.2 Double-minor Penalty - A double-minor penalty will be imposed on a
player who spears an opponent and does not make contact.
62.3 Major Penalty - A major penalty shall be imposed on a player who
spears an opponent (see 62.5).
62.4 Match Penalty - A match penalty shall be imposed on a player who
injures an opponent as a result of a spear.

So the ref basically called this a "slash" instead of a spear specifically to avoid a match penalty.

 

[Highlander]

I mean, Detroit is a shit team, but good for Hutch to get a win.

Freddie Hutchinson!!!!

 

[Highlander]

Well said Bender & Barney.

Sounds like a law firm

 

[Bender]

https://twitter.com/HeresYourReplay/status/1208781954478419968

Don't think this was noticed at the time.

edit: This apparently happened in the 2nd and Fabbri was penalized for it. I guessed I just missed it.

I definitely remember seeing it and thinking why were these offsetting minors?

 

[Guilt Trip]

Leafs are now 2nd in their division and when GP even out are in a worst case scenario 2 points out of a playoff spot behind Tampa.  Amazing how quickly things can turn around

And that's worst case. Better to be where we are with points than having games in hand that you still may lose.

Bruins are 9 points up, same games. I was kind of surprised to see that the Leafs only have 2 less wins then Boston. Boston makes up for it in loser points.

 

[Champ Kind]

Ok watching it again I don't exactly hate the extra 2 for Muzzin on that play. Mantha instigated things sure, but that takedown move kinda crosses a line of what's generally expected in situations there. Especially that close to the boards... if Mantha's head hit them first instead of the ice that could have actually been a lot worse.

Late to this discussion but just wanted to state that I agree with Carlton 100%.  It was a reckless, dangerous play by Muzzin.  Punches were thrown, then Mantha and Muzzin were wrapped up.  Mantha's body position made him vulnerable but Muzzin pulls him backward and to the ice.  I don't think Muzzin intended to hurt him, but the point is that players need to understand their actions relative to the situation they find themselves in.  Pulling him backward onto the ice, whether they in the middle of an altercation or not, was dangerous.

With that said, I agree with others that Athanasiou did the exact same thing on Holl, except that Holl was able to pull an arm free to brace his fall.  Really inconsistent refereeing.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

It was a reckless, dangerous play by Muzzin.

I think people armchair quarterbacking and analyzing this frame by frame need to include a bit of context into it.

First off, Muzzin didn't debate this with Mantha first, go to center ice, and size each other up for 15 seconds. He got jumped. He's in a headlock, and he's taking punches to the head. I can guarantee he's not thinking "geez, let me think about what the gentlemanly thing to do is here"  - the lizard brain has taken over. He's filled with adrenaline, wants this guy off him, and he's in too close proximity to push/extricate.

I feel bad that Mantha got hurt, but this is another reason why there's an instigator rule.

 

[Guilt Trip]

It was a reckless, dangerous play by Muzzin.

I think people armchair quarterbacking and analyzing this frame by frame need to include a bit of context into it.

First off, Muzzin didn't debate this with Mantha first, go to center ice, and size each other up for 15 seconds. He got jumped. He's in a headlock, and he's taking punches to the head. I can guarantee he's not thinking "geez, let me think about what the gentlemanly thing to do is here"  - the lizard brain has taken over. He's filled with adrenaline, wants this guy off him, and he's in too close proximity to push/extricate.

I feel bad that Mantha got hurt, but this is another reason why there's an instigator rule.

Absolutely right. Also this notion that Muzz took him down "backwards". I suppose he should have pulled Mantha on top of himself? If it was so reckless and dangerous, the DOPS would be investigating. I have zero issue with what Muzz did. Athanasiou on Holl was worse, because Holl's back was to him, but I'm not complaining and neither are the Leafs.

 

[ZBBM]

I see Fabbri got hit with about a $2500 fine for spearing Kerfoot, the maximum allowed.