Originally Posted by Jmac (Post 8378828)

Bertuzzi got 20 games (13 regular season games and remainder of the playoffs, which ended up being 7 games).

And Bertuzzi's was far worse than what Thornton did even if you don't take into account the end result (which was infinitely worse in Bertuzzi's case).

How is the Thornton incident any different from Emery attacking Holtby? Ference attacking Stempniak? Ference attacking Upshall? Rinaldo attacking Roussel?

Even Bieksa attacked Brian Boyle at the end of the NYR game.

If anything, Thornton attack was the least vicious of those, but had the worst end result, which was knocking his victim unconscious and giving him a mild concussion.

Obviously, these attacks are not actions that should be part of hockey, but if you let the other dozen or so acts go unpunished and then punish the one that results in a guy going to the hospital, is it really a deterrent? I mean, the vast majority of the time, these guys are going to head to the dressing room for repairs afterwards and return no worse for wear.

If the NHL really wants to get rid of this garbage, they need to make it an automatic suspension with fines for the coaches and teams. That's not what's going to happen in the Thornton case, though, aside from the fact that he will get suspended, but only due to politics and media pressure.

Originally Posted by Jmac (Post 8378864)

All those other guys were just as defenseless (except Holtby, who wanted no part of it). Orpik had the opportunity to defend himself. There are 1.5 seconds before Thornton throws a punch. He could've got his hands up. If he had punched him on the way down, I could see your point, but that wasn't the case.

Originally Posted by trancehead (Post 8378956)

dude falling backwards probably shocked him enough
didnt see the video clearly, but he probably hits his head on the way down
1.5 seconds is nothing given all that .

Originally Posted by trancehead (Post 8378972)

you ever play hockey and had your feet taking out from under you?

doesnt even have to be hockey, any instance where you fall and dont expect it

your first instinct is to try and regain your balance. so those 1.5 seconds of buffer you are referring to is irrelevant
first instinct is not to proect your head from jabs
and Thornton came from behind. so again, adds to the element of surprise.

Originally Posted by Mr.HappySilp (Post 8378913)

Fines on the teams doesn't work, lower the salary cap will, each time your player did something like this your cap for the next season goes down by 10% That will teach the team really quick.

Originally Posted by Jmac (Post 8378828)

If anything, Thornton attack was the least vicious of those, but had the worst end result, which was knocking his victim unconscious and giving him a mild concussion.

Obviously, these attacks are not actions that should be part of hockey, but if you let the other dozen or so acts go unpunished and then punish the one that results in a guy going to the hospital, is it really a deterrent?

Originally Posted by ICE BOY (Post 8379062)

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