On Friday March 7th, the Houston Aeros took on the Hartford Wolfpack in an AHL game in Houston. The Aero's scored about 9 minutes into the game, but beside that goal, it was a fairly uneventful game, at least until the end. Time was winding down in the third period with Houston up 1-0 when with under a minute left (12 seconds to be exact), a big scrum started in front of the Aero's net. It seemed like any other dustup that happens in a hockey game, except for the fact that after a few seconds, Benoit Pouliot got caught up in a battle with Rangers draft pick Dane Byers. Pouliot, as evident in the video, wanted absolutely nothing to do with this fight (and why would he, he's a goal-scorer, not a fighter). But Byers insisted on making sure Pouliot took him on like a man, so while Pouliot is in the "turtle" position on the ice trying to avoid getting hit, Byers starts punching him and soon throws Pouliot's helmet off. Then Byers promptly takes a hold of the back of Pouliots jersey and slams his head into the ice completely unprovoked.
It's really amazing things like this happen in hockey. I understand the violent nature of hockey, I've followed it ever since I can remember, but cheap shots like that are just crazy. Pouliot went as far as to crouch down on the ice to avoid getting hit, but somehow Byers finds a way to "fight" him anyway. In the postgame interview, Byers says that it was an emotional game and that he got caught up in it. Good job trying to justify your actions Byers, but is there really no way you could have just let him go? The worst part of the situation is that in the game, they only had one linesman as opposed to two in a normal game. So on the ice was one referee and one linesman to break up 9 guys going at it. And then the one linesman that is on the ice watches over Byers as he pummels Pouliot into the ice, apparently afraid to step in and break it up. The end result is a broken jaw and a few missing teeth for Pouliot and no suspension for Byers (at least currently, I've heard the Aero's are filing for petition to have it reviewed). Luckily Pouliot came back and played the next night with a jaw protector and visor and actually netted the OT winner for the Aeros that game. I really hope the AHL takes another look at this game and deems Byers actions suspension-worthy, because although I love seeing the hard checks, seeing one guy get beaten while he is crouched down is not something that is appealing to me.
2 comments:
There is normally only one ref in the AHL as was the case on 3/7/08. So, there was one ref (not two) and one linesman.
That hardly mattered in this case though as Finn was in position to stop both cheap shots, the punch and the head slam to the ice, he simply chose not to go in.
Notice the pat on the butt from the linesman Sean Finn as Byers goes off the ice as well.
Good catch with the refs, I slipped up there after watching so much NHL hockey.
Post a Comment