Cheap Shot

I took no greater pleasure during Sunday morning's Blackhawks game versus the Washington Capitals than booing Alex Ovechkin as he skated towards the penalty box. His first period boarding penalty was a prime example of the type of occurrence that needs to be eradicated from hockey altogether.

Without fail, every season there are outcries from the fans who witness vicious hits on the ice to make it more of an offense, or to find some other way to stop these unnecessary "glamor hits". As one of the superstars of the NHL, as well as the captain of his franchise Ovechkin should understand his status as a role model and a representative for the league. His hit on Brian Campbell Sunday morning was evidence of nothing more than Ovechkin's incompetent decision-making abilities and vicious instincts.

Campbell had just released the puck around, behind the Hawks net when Ovechkin, who was "glamor hit" hunting the entire way shouldered Campbell into the boards going full speed. Campbell was already leaning over when Ovechkin hit him, and as a result his momentum took him shoulder/chest first into the boards. He sprawled out on the ice in agony for several minutes before being carried to the locker room. Ovechkin lingered around Campbell, before being directed to the penalty box and then off to the visiting locker room after his game misconduct had been credited.

Campbell is likely out for the rest of the season according to sources, he has broken several ribs as well as his clavicle. Ovechkin will be fined and the incident will be up for review with the NHL commissioner about possible suspensions. However, this is not nearly enough, his actions not just today but throughout the season condemn him as a cheap and malicious head-hunter. He has already served a suspension this season for similar conduct and has three prior game misconducts THIS SEASON.

Ovechkin deserves a punishment far worse than he will receive, because the NHL will choose to protect its assets (in other words: Ovechkin sells tickets, and makes people watch games). His league-leading 96 points will draw in the crowds, like they did at the United Center, but what we saw was an example of something the NHL must seriously resolve. This type of behavior does not strike the other three major leagues, because Albert Haynesworth took his licks for a similar-in-nature incident and the NFL properly dealt with the situation. And the NBA dealt with its issues but the NHL continues to tolerate a fine line of policy towards fighting and illegal hits. The other three leagues have always taken a no tolerance policy towards the same type of behavior exhibited by Ovechkin on Sunday. I am outraged, the athletes are too big, too strong and too fast these days for this to continue.

By the way, Ovechkin stated in the locker after the game "I didn't hit him hard. He fell bad. But you can see, every shift this happens -- little pushes, little battles." You don't break ribs or your collar bone without being hit hard, and once more in a completely unnecessary fashion, the puck was well out of Campbell's possession when he was hit. Ovechkin clearly doesn't understand what he did wrong, and that's probably the worst part.