[cityhockeyfever]

Some fans may not be talking about the Rangers' 3-1 loss in Calgary last night. Instead, it may be attention drawn to a play just seconds into the game.

Flames forward Curtis Glencross delivered a vicious blindsided hit to Rangers forward Chris Drury as the two players skated in the Rangers defensive zone. Drury did not have the puck at the time of the hit in which he received a blow to the head. The captain was taken out of the game and never returned to action.

It is very possible that Drury could miss significant time during this season as it is believed he suffered a concussion as a result of the hit. Those that have followed his career from Colorado to Calgary to Buffalo and now in New York, he's had a concussion history. The Hockey Night in Canada crew showed Chris Neil's horrific hit on Drury a few years ago when Drury was playing for the Sabres.

After looking at the two video clips below (thanks to LS for the one from CBC), tell us what you think of the play and if Glencross deserves to be suspended for the hit. Some may believe it was a dirty play.

There is also a thread on the Calgary Flames message board as well in case you want to offer feedback to Flames fans as well.

The Sports Network's (TSN) SportsCenter highlight:


CBC's Hockey Night in Canada Coast to Coast segment (cue at 3:34):



Here is Derek21's take via his Battle of New York blog...

Forget the game. So, the Rangers lost 3-1 to the Flames. I could care less. I'm just not in the mood to talk about it because of the kinda petty nonsense I have to deal with which sometimes, makes me really wonder if it's worth it. I'll do the recap later but here's something that's on my mind which of course was part of tonight's game:

Hits like the one Curtis Glencross delivered late on a defenseless Chris Drury who predictably didn't even have the puck are the kinda blatant cheapshots this league MUST eliminate immediately. I don't give a flying shit about the loss because honestly, the Rangers who were down both Drury and Brandon Dubinsky played well enough to win. That they didn't also typified the continued idiocy of the two ref system. Both O'Halloran and Pollock should be ashamed of themselves for missing such a dangerous hit that concussed our captain while somehow having the audacity to call Ales Kotalik for a high sticking double minor 21 God damn seconds after it happened.

How the heck do we end up shorthanded there? I know it was technically the right call. But you cannot call that after the fact because some linesmen told ya. That is one of the worst officiating performances I've ever seen. And of course, Calgary scored the winner on it with Jarome Iginla capitalizing.

Ref parting shot done. Now, to our soft as molasses team that should be sponsored permanently by Hostess. How does not one player come to Drury's aid? When Wade Redden is the only guy who got mad, that's a writhing indictment on our total goofball Sean Avery. You are garbage. I could care less if he was more effective tonight. He has to step in there or Ryan Callahan does. Someone has to. It's a freaking disgrace that nobody ever stands up to opponents who are allowed to run our players, take cheapshots like the one Glencross delivered KO-ing Drury for God knows how long and continually run over our franchise netminder, who missed a second consecutive game due to a sore groin. I could care less if we're soft. Real teammates don't put up with that garbage. Until this team grows a pair, they will continue to get disrespected and that won't bode well for the remainder of the season.

Which finally brings me to the coach. All he ever does is talk. Well, how about backing it up for a change Tort! Where the hell was Dane Byers in the third? I don't care about the two points. You have to get Byers out there to fight Glencross and send a message. Sometimes, this coach who runs his mouth a lot doesn't make wise decisions. There are way too many to go over, meaning the honeymoon is over. Either show some backbone or get the hell out!

See ya tomorrow. http://www.battleofny.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif

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[Avsfreak18]

As much as I love Drury, this wasnt a goonish play... thoughtless... but no intent to injure, he shouldve gotten a penalty, but nothing more

[Ricco]

I do believe a suspension and fine is in order. I dumbfounded as to why no penalty was called! It should have been a major penalty for going to the head.

[LeaferSutherland]

I think the play definitely should have earned a penalty. But if our helmets cannot keep players from receiving concussions from hits like that, something seriously needs to be looked at.

Yes, Drury was blindsided and yes it was blatant interference. But this was not a vicious hit by any means. Certainly not the type of hit that should render a helmet completely useless.

[MikeNYR24]

Avsfreak18, on Nov 8 2009, 04:40 PM, said:

As much as I love Drury, this wasnt a goonish play... thoughtless... but no intent to injure, he shouldve gotten a penalty, but nothing more

The hit was late and high. Most hits in the league are without intent to injure. This is another example of why the NHL needs to crack down on hits to the head.

[NYRGirardi5]

MikeNYR24, on Nov 8 2009, 11:05 PM, said:

The hit was late and high. Most hits in the league are without intent to injure. This is another example of why the NHL needs to crack down on hits to the head.

agreed

[Chris TMC]

LeaferSutherland, on Nov 8 2009, 06:01 PM, said:

I think the play definitely should have earned a penalty. But if our helmets cannot keep players from receiving concussions from hits like that, something seriously needs to be looked at.

Yes, Drury was blindsided and yes it was blatant interference. But this was not a vicious hit by any means. Certainly not the type of hit that should render a helmet completely useless.

I couldnt believe that there was no call on that hit, and I think that, compounded with nobody doing anyhting about their Captain laying on the ice, threw the whole game off for the Rangers. I still think they played a good game all things considered, but man- for that hit to go unquestioned is messed up IMHO. Torts was livid after the game, and honestly in this case I do not blame him.

But Leafer, thats a great explanation regarding the helmet and I agree with you. That is the kind of hit where a helmet should be protecting a player from an injury like this. Since it didnt, I think that is a real problem.

This point has been edited by Chris TMC: 08 November 2009 - 11:10 PM

[MikeNYR24]

NYRGirardi5, on Nov 8 2009, 11:08 PM, said:

agreed

agreement #6 or 7?

[MikeNYR24]

Chris TMC, on Nov 8 2009, 11:09 PM, said:

I couldnt believe that there was no call on that hit, and I think that, compounded with nobody doing anyhting about their Captain laying on the ice, threw the whole game off for the Rangers. I still think they played a good game all things considered, but man- for that hit to go unquestioned is messed up IMHO. Torts was livid after the game, and honestly in this case I do not blame him.

But Leafer, thats a great explanation regarding the helmet and I agree with you. That is the kind of hit where a helmet should be protecting a player from an injury like this. Since it didnt, I think that is a real problem.

I think the Rangers hung tough, but could have done more. With how Drury was playing this year, his injury wasn't going to make or break the game. I do have a problem with no one on this team standing up for him on that hit or anytime Lundqvist is run over in the crease. That's unacceptable.

As for the equipment, it's a valid point but is also flawed. Once you've had a concussion, you're odds of receiving another are increased. Don't forget Drury had a pretty bad concussion a few years back. He was blindsided and knocked out cold.

[NYRGirardi5]

MikeNYR24, on Nov 8 2009, 11:09 PM, said:

agreement #6 or 7?

its gotta be at least 7. gotta wait for the official word from vader.


as for the helmet issue, concussions are commonly caused by the brain slamming into the skull, that could happen in an instance where the head isn't actually touched. any sudden change in direction at a high speed can easily cause a concussion. there is nothing a helmet can do about that.

[Chris TMC]

MikeNYR24, on Nov 8 2009, 11:13 PM, said:

I think the Rangers hung tough, but could have done more. With how Drury was playing this year, his injury wasn't going to make or break the game. I do have a problem with no one on this team standing up for him on that hit or anytime Lundqvist is run over in the crease. That's unacceptable.

He is still their Captain, and Ive never hard that the Rangers room itself is unhappy with that (fans are a different story lol) so seeing something like that is just gonna throw players off. They could have been a lot more thrown off than they were, IMO. But I completely agree with you about the standing up for him thing.

MikeNYR24, on Nov 8 2009, 11:13 PM, said:

As for the equipment, it's a valid point but is also flawed. Once you've had a concussion, you're odds of receiving another are increased. Don't forget Drury had a pretty bad concussion a few years back. He was blindsided and knocked out cold.

I actually did completely forget about that, and youre right.

[MikeNYR24]

Chris TMC, on Nov 8 2009, 11:20 PM, said:

He is still their Captain, and Ive never hard that the Rangers room itself is unhappy with that (fans are a different story lol) so seeing something like that is just gonna throw players off. They could have been a lot more thrown off than they were, IMO. But I completely agree with you about the standing up for him thing.

When do you ever hear a player or team complain publicly about their captain? I disagree the hit will throw the players off. Look up the interview with Avery after the game when he was asked why no one retaliated. The answer was "Dru would have preferred us to get 2 points." That's a terrible mindset because there's no accountability.

[Chris TMC]

MikeNYR24, on Nov 8 2009, 11:30 PM, said:

When do you ever hear a player or team complain publicly about their captain? I disagree the hit will throw the players off. Look up the interview with Avery after the game when he was asked why no one retaliated. The answer was "Dru would have preferred us to get 2 points." That's a terrible mindset because there's no accountability.

Complain in public? No... but if they had a real prob with him being Captain, I think the media and the fans who are frustrated with him themselves would pick up on any inner rumblings like a frickin seismograph. It happens. I do not believe I have any inside info on their room of course, I was just saying that I havent heard of any of that when it comes to the Rangers. Like from my POV, when there were probs with divisions in the room and with the coach back when Pecs was our captain, we heard the rumblings before the shit hit the fan... thats all I meant.

[Tashimojo]

Maybe if they wore Spaceballs helmets it would cushion their heads more...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/tashimojo/Spaceballs.gif

It's incredibly difficult to blame this on the helmets IMO. All the cushioning in the world won't prevent a concussion when your head gets snapped. The brain gets knocked against the skull from the change in velocity.

This point has been edited by Tashimojo: 08 November 2009 - 11:59 PM

[Chris TMC]

Have you seen what is being suggested?
http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2009/1107/nhl_e_pierrelebrun_300.jpg

[Tashimojo]

Chris TMC, on Nov 8 2009, 10:40 PM, said:

Have you seen what is being suggested?
http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2009/1107/nhl_e_pierrelebrun_300.jpg

It's about time the ESPN hockey analysts started wearing helmets. Those guys are definitely suffering head trauma.

[Bonecrusher]

As I said in a different thread :
Something will just happen if someone's going to be injured really seriously I'm afraid...

Whenever someone has to be carried off the ice, there was something wrong with the hit before.

[Chris TMC]

Three-game suspension for Curtis Glencross for this hit on Drury according to BobMcKenzie.

[Chris TMC]

Bonecrusher, on Nov 9 2009, 03:52 AM, said:

As I said in a different thread :
Something will just happen if someone's going to be injured really seriously I'm afraid...

Whenever someone has to be carried off the ice, there was something wrong with the hit before.

I do not agree with that. Making a blanket statement like that implies that a guy cannot cause his own injury by making poor choices, and that is simply untrue.

In this case, yeah a suspension seems warranted. In ALL cases? No way.

[manovrboard]

Avsfreak18, on Nov 8 2009, 02:40 PM, said:

As much as I love Drury, this wasnt a goonish play... thoughtless... but no intent to injure, he shouldve gotten a penalty, but nothing more

Agreed.