12/22/24
October 17, 2005
Havlat goes five-hole: Ottawa Senators star Martin Havlat responded to being knocked down by towering Boston Bruins tough guy Hal Gill by kicking Gill in the groin. At least one columnist is siding with Havlat, but he'll likely receive a fine, a suspension or both. Cheap shot or natural reaction?
Cheap shot or natural reaction? Both? Both.
posted by chicobangs at 10:46 AM on October 17, 2005
Uh, that columnist is way off base. Havlat should turn the other cheek, and make'em pay on the powerplay. He isn't a hulking, punishing player. So don't try to be. And don't kick anyone with sharpened metal blades on your feet. EVER. This is the third time, too. There should be zero tolerance for kicking.
posted by garfield at 10:52 AM on October 17, 2005
With ice skates on? And the article said it didn't even seem to faze Gill. Either he's wearing one hell of a cup, or he's "Ironballs" McGinty.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 10:54 AM on October 17, 2005
I agree that the columnist is plain wrong. He seems to let Havlat off the hook because Gil is huge, but Havlat wouldn't fight anyone fair. It coulda been Samsonov and I'm betting that Havlet would have chosen the cheap route. And since the writer asks, I would have turned the other cheek or punched him in the face. Either way, my blades stay away from Little Hal.
posted by 86 at 10:56 AM on October 17, 2005
What's the problem. He was just performing a Briss.
posted by drevl at 11:25 AM on October 17, 2005
Oh, this is a biiiiiiggggg no-no in hockey. Not only is it cheap - but it is a dangerous game to play. Anyone remember Clint Malarchuk? Those skate blades can be fucking deadly. Now that was totally different, but the sentiment is similiar. You can do whatever with your fists - but no kicking. Reminds me of Happy Gilmour. "Once I took off my skate and tried to stab a guy."
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 12:04 PM on October 17, 2005
Clint Malarchuk-NASTIEST non-fatal injury in sports history.
posted by HATER 187 at 12:18 PM on October 17, 2005
That columnist needs to take a course in elementary logic.
posted by fabulon7 at 12:38 PM on October 17, 2005
Was Clint the guy that got his throat slashed during a game? *hurls And I think HATER hit the nail squarely on the head upstream. If you are hanging out in from of somebody's net, you better Dino Cicarelli up and take the punishment. If you do, you too could be rewarded with a million garbage goals and under age girls in your limo.
posted by NoMich at 12:44 PM on October 17, 2005
Garbage goals? I wouldn't call them garbage if you are willing to take the punishment. The kicking with skates is as punk as Claude Lemieux's hit on Chris Draper into the stantion, (sp?). Garfield is right, take the hit, hope for the call, and make them pay on the power play. Or . . . drop the gloves and go at it!
posted by RedStrike at 01:03 PM on October 17, 2005
You need to get your humor-o-matic recalibrated, Red Strike.
posted by NoMich at 01:10 PM on October 17, 2005
This is the second time that Havlat has kicked a player. He's becoming the Mike Tyson of the NHL. If he knows he's going to get his bum kicked, he resorts to cheap shots. He should be suspended for at least 20 GAMES, not just days.
posted by GoCaps at 01:12 PM on October 17, 2005
And the article said it didn't even seem to faze Gill. Actually, there was a clip of Gill sitting in the penalty box rubbing his "groin" area. He definitely felt it. Since it's Havlat's second offence, he should be getting at least 10 games for it. And take what the reporter says with a grain of salt: he's an Ottawa scribe. He's got a lot of bias there...
posted by grum@work at 01:54 PM on October 17, 2005
Man, I wish he'd just relax and play his game. He's no use to anyone when he loses his temper.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 03:24 PM on October 17, 2005
Dear Mr. havlat, If you need someone to talk to, call me. -Loraina Bobbit
posted by RZA at 04:40 PM on October 17, 2005
Sorry NoMich, but when one is only 5'1" things easily go over ones head. I'm recalibrated, but the problem is I have this pain in my neck and I won't grow anymore! Maybe Mr. McSmokey could help with my attitude adjustment.
posted by RedStrike at 04:40 PM on October 17, 2005
Where ever sense is burned, Weedy is there. Whoever needs of a roach chip, Weedy is there. Whenever a 'bogart' reminder is called for, Weedy is there. Whatever your weed, Weedy is there.
posted by garfield at 04:57 PM on October 17, 2005
Lame and incredibly dangerous. For the first time, maybe a fine and a short suspension but if its a repeat issue for this guy then he needs to be taught that its completely unacceptable to kick someone while wearing razor blades on your feet. Just like they get taught to not swing their sticks like clubs when they get pissed off.
posted by fenriq at 05:59 PM on October 17, 2005
Whenever a 'bogart' reminder is called for, Weedy is there. So Weedy subscribes to Fraternity of Man's newsletter? And Red Strike, no worries.
posted by NoMich at 11:10 PM on October 17, 2005
Havlat gets a five-game vacation. I would have liked to have seen 10-15 games, but this isn't completely inappropriate. And this is a pretty funny column that points out that Hal Gill did not escape unscathed.
posted by wfrazerjr at 09:13 AM on October 18, 2005
The Malarchuk injury, if you can stomach it
posted by MeatSaber at 12:23 PM on October 19, 2005
I guess this how the sens respond to being called a "soft team" all preseason. Just what the NHL needs another pussy who can't take a hit. Note to Havlat if your by the other teams net someone will move you. I have no patience for players like Havlat especially when your repeate offender. The NHL would be better off with guys like him and Bertuzzi.