The NHL missed the boat here

So Boston Bruin Milan Lucic didn't get suspended for nailing Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller.  Uh, ok. I guess everyone that is afraid the NHL is legislating the violence out of the game doesn't have to worry now, since NOTHING provokes a bench clearing brawl more quickly than running a goalie.

For anyone wondering why goalies need special protection imagine yourself trying to hit a 95 mph fastball in a baseball game...and then being tackled full force by a 300 lb football player just as you're swinging. Remember most goaltenders are not as big or strong as the other members on the ice, and all that padding is more to protect against the puck rather than contact. Unfortunately now that it appears you can take out the opposing team's starting goalie (who is often considered to be the most important/hardest to replace player) for a mere two minute penalty I suspect there will be some serious runs taken at goalies.  Give any team tacit approval and they'll take it...

For those wondering about the hit here's the video. Lucic (in black) makes absolutely no attempt to avoid Miller (in white), which he's required to do since there is no chance of him getting to the puck first. If this was a defenceman or forward this would be fine since they expect to get hit, but goalies? Nah. This was a cheap shot, pure and simple.

The NHL missed the boat here

So Boston Bruin Milan Lucic didn't get suspended for nailing Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller.  Uh, ok. I guess everyone that is afraid the NHL is legislating the violence out of the game doesn't have to worry now, since NOTHING provokes a bench clearing brawl more quickly than running a goalie.

For anyone wondering why goalies need special protection imagine yourself trying to hit a 95 mph fastball in a baseball game...and then being tackled full force by a 300 lb football player just as you're swinging. Remember most goaltenders are not as big or strong as the other members on the ice, and all that padding is more to protect against the puck rather than contact. Unfortunately now that it appears you can take out the opposing team's starting goalie (who is often considered to be the most important/hardest to replace player) for a mere two minute penalty I suspect there will be some serious runs taken at goalies.  Give any team tacit approval and they'll take it...

For those wondering about the hit here's the video. Lucic (in black) makes absolutely no attempt to avoid Miller (in white), which he's required to do since there is no chance of him getting to the puck first. If this was a defenceman or forward this would be fine since they expect to get hit, but goalies? Nah. This was a cheap shot, pure and simple.

The NHL missed the boat here

So Boston Bruin Milan Lucic didn't get suspended for nailing Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller.  Uh, ok. I guess everyone that is afraid the NHL is legislating the violence out of the game doesn't have to worry now, since NOTHING provokes a bench clearing brawl more quickly than running a goalie.

For anyone wondering why goalies need special protection imagine yourself trying to hit a 95 mph fastball in a baseball game...and then being tackled full force by a 300 lb football player just as you're swinging. Remember most goaltenders are not as big or strong as the other members on the ice, and all that padding is more to protect against the puck rather than contact. Unfortunately now that it appears you can take out the opposing team's starting goalie (who is often considered to be the most important/hardest to replace player) for a mere two minute penalty I suspect there will be some serious runs taken at goalies.  Give any team tacit approval and they'll take it...

For those wondering about the hit here's the video. Lucic (in black) makes absolutely no attempt to avoid Miller (in white), which he's required to do since there is no chance of him getting to the puck first. If this was a defenceman or forward this would be fine since they expect to get hit, but goalies? Nah. This was a cheap shot, pure and simple.