Recent TV thoughs

[snowywolfowl]

I really have to hand it to Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. Both of their shows from yesterday had some really well done stuff, but the story behind the journalism prof who spoofed Rahm Emmanual's Twitter feed was just way to epic. Regardless of one's political leanings its rather clever, and an interesting cautionary tale that not everyone on the internet is exactly who they say they are.

And while we are still on the topic of computing, Jon Stewart's interview with the Republican Party's computer candidate was pretty slick. Captain Kirk would be proud! :-p

Moving on to sports...well, all I can say after watching the Zdeno Chara hit on Max Pacioretty last night is "Holy (Bleep)! That guy is lucky to be alive!"  That's not just hyperbole. If he'd broken his neck a couple of vertabrate higher he could have died on the ice or been paralyzed. Here's to hoping for a complete recovery for Pacioretty, and a great season next year.

So, should Chara have been suspended for it? After looking at the replay I don't think it is anything other than an accident. Its not a blindside or hit from behind, he doesn't leave his feet, and he doesn't make contact with his head. It really does look like Chara was just trying to rub Pacioretty out along the boards and unfortunately Pacioretty smashed face first into the turnbuckle. If he hadn't hit that Pacioretty would have been completely fine and Chara, at the most, would have gotten two minutes for "interference" instead of the five minute interference penalty he got.*

*"Interference" just means that you impeded the movement of a player who didn't have the puck, and as such is almost always a two minute minor penalty. Prior to that hit I'd never heard of any getting more then that for an interference penalty.  Compared to really dirty plays like kneeing and spearing interference is usually nothing.

Comments

[kathyrene.livejournal.com]

It does look like an accident by today's standards however with all the protective gear players wear now I suppose it means they now play to 'kill' and have little regard for the well being of other players. Hockey has always been a rough sport but I recall watching games years ago before they wore helmets and some of the more elaborate gear and there seemed to be less serious injuries than today. The protective gear doesn't make them indestructible. Chara should receive a good enough penalty that it leaves an impression on all other players (and spectators) that the game is about hockey. It's not a war out there, it's a sport. Hope Pacioretty recovers.

[snowywolfowl.livejournal.com]

I hope he recovers too. I'm just glad he wasn't paralyzed or killed from that break in his cervical spine.

There's no question that hockey at the professional level has to make a few big changes due to the increasing speed and size of the players. These are the ones I'd like to see:

1. An automatic 5 minute match penalty for head contact, with review by the league afterward. Not every blow to the head is deliberate and suspension worthy, but knowing its an automatic penalty and possible suspension would help cut that down. Considering the greater awareness of concussions and brain damage we now have that change needs to be made soon.

2. No-touch icing, or at least a hybrid style to reduce injuries from foot races. Those injuries are just as dangerous.

3. Soften the bloody pads! I agree with you, those pads on the elbows and shoulders are lethal. Keep the stuff from the waist and below as is, but soften everything from the waist up except the helmet.