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Kerrzy’s Notebook: Another Scandel(la)
 Posted
2/5/2010 12:00:00 PM
Just kidding, but seriously – things are starting to get a little out of hand out east where yet another indefinite suspension has been handed out in the QMJHL for another vicious blow to the head.
This time around, the culprit is 19-year-old Val d’Or Foreurs defenseman Marco Scandella; the second member of Team Canada to cross that line in the last few weeks.
Here’s what happened: Rimouski Oceanic forward Alexandre Durette got caught with his head down as he tried to poke a loose puck past Scandella, the six-foot-two, 190-pound Minnesota Wild prospect, who was cutting across the ice with his head up.
It’s being widely reported as an elbow to the head, but the footage isn’t quite conclusive on that front. Either way, it is a shot to the head, but Durette does make himself a bit vulnerable by reaching out for the puck like he does.
The hit left Durette with a concussion and, as you'll see in the video below, what looks like a big chunk missing from his face (his visor apparently broke into pieces).
There was no penalty on the play and the league only became aware of the incident after the Oceanic sent them the tape. Unfortunately for Scandella, the timing of the hit will probably influence the length of the suspension he receives.
What do I mean?
Well, the QMJHL and the OHL have already ended the seasons of two players and sat another guy down for 20 games for similar hits to the head. Now that the precedent is set, the pressure is on those leagues to uphold that standard.
To me, it’s the open-ice version of a player getting hit from behind because they turned at the last second. I’m not saying it’s Durette’s fault, but he knows Scandella is coming and he puts himself in a very vulnerable position by reaching out to try and poke the puck past him.
What do you think: Should the league throw the book at Scandella, or is the whole thing being blown out of proportion?
PS - The two teams meet again tonight!
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jkerr@630ched.com
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I dunno Geoff, to me that's not an elbow...it's a shoulder-to-head hit, granted the ONE camera angle and the grainy footage don't really give us the best look at what happened. Ten years ago if Scott Stevens did what Scandella did we'd be in awe of what a vicious hitter he is and respect his skill in that facet of the game...
If Scandella has Durette lined up for a good clean open-ice hit and he makes himself vulnerable at the last second, is it Scandella's fault that he gets hurt? Durette KNOWS he's coming...would it be Scandella's fault if it was along the boards and Durette turned his back at the very last second?
Also...we've got the benefit of watching it in slow motion, but we have to remember it all happens in a split second. At the very least we've got to agree that this wasn't a predatory hit like a Cormier or a Kassian
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Posted By
Kerrzy
On
2/6/2010 12:39:14 PM
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Yes he should be suspended. I don't care if Durette reaches for the puck, a forearm/elbow is never, ever the right play.
Now, if Scandella had shifted his weight, and caught Durette with a clean open-ice, shoulder-to-body hit, then it's not a suspension, or even a penalty.
As long as Scandella leads with his forearm/elbow, it should be a suspension.
No respect in the game these days, Kerrzy. Somehow, league officials have to start bringing it back.
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Posted By
Geoff D.
On
2/5/2010 10:14:01 PM
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