Monday evening news! Versus back on DirecTV; Ovechkin suspended two games
by Travis Hughes on Mar 15, 2010 5:26 PM EDT
in News
61 comments
After a ton of legal wrangling that has gone on for all of this hockey season, Comcast-owned Versus and satellite television provider DirecTV have finally (!) come to an agreement. Seriously, this time. Like, both companies announced it and everything.
DIRECTV and Comcast have reached an agreement to return VERSUS to the DIRECTV programming lineup today. Versus should be up on Channel 603 no later than 7PM ET/4PM PT.
DIRECTV and Comcast have reached an agreement to return VERSUS to the DIRECTV programming lineup today. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
VERSUS will return to the same DIRECTV programming packages it was in at the end of August 2009.
It's happening. Tonight. Everybody can watch New Jersey vs Boston together, now. Hooray! The Flyers aren't on Versus again until the playoffs (knock on wood).
In other news, the NHL suspended Alex Ovechkin two games for his hit on Brian Campbell. Over at Japer's Rink, they're all tinfoil hatty, with J.P. saying such things as:
I've said it before and I'll say it again: these hits (Ovechkin's, Steve Downie's, Matt Cooke's, etc.) are Rorschach tests; people see what they want to see in them, be it a chance to critique the game, promote a hero by unfairly ripping apart a "villain," or what have you. Me? I saw a two-minute minor for boarding. Apparently Colin Campbell (whose son, incidentally, will face the Caps tomorrow night in Sunrise) saw it differently.
There's an arguable point in there somewhere I think, but it's all quickly lost in that ridiculous theory spouted there at the end. The fact of the matter is that yes, Matt Cooke's hit was much, much worse than the one Ovechkin put on Campbell. At least initially. In the end, both players are likely out for the year so from that perspective they are the same hit.
In any event, it's simple. There's a rule on the books for hitting from behind. There is no rule currently on the books calling what Matt Cooke did illegal. Period, end of discussion.
0 recs |
61 comments
| Add comment
|
Email
Print
Comments
I wonder if the blinders would have stayed on at Jaspers Rink if it was another knee to knee hit? Or is this ok because it’s something different in boarding…not really, since this is Ovie’s second boarding incident this year.
Maybe you could go join the conversation and find out instead of throwing stones from abroad.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
by Fehr and Balanced on Mar 15, 2010 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions
With all due respect, Travis, you badly missed my point. Badly.
I don’t see anything that indicated I thought there was a conspiracy involved here (usually the implication of “tinfoil hatty,” and I’m not sure what you mean by “ridiculous theory.” Please elaborate.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
By implying that Campbell’s decision is somehow complicated by the fact that his son’s team is playing against the Caps tomorrow night. That’s all I was getting at. I generally agree, or can at least see the argument, in the rest of what you said, but I think it’s overshadowed by that implication at the end there.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog. Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Travis Hughes on Mar 15, 2010 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
But that’s a statement of fact.
If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
No, it’s not. It’s a theory.
I’m gonna say this once, and I’m not implying that either of you are trolls or anything of the sort. In fact, I appreciate your responses. But if this turns in to a bunch of Caps fans coming over here to argue this point, I’m going to put an end to it. I’m not trying to silence anybody or anything like that, but a line has to be drawn.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog. Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Travis Hughes on Mar 15, 2010 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions
So you can say what you want about us, but we can’t respond. Nice.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I’m responding to you right now, am I not? I did not say that I won’t let you stay here and let you defend a criticism of your writing. Absoultely, positively not.
But this is not a Caps-fan forum, J.P. There’s a place for you to argue your points at your site. I’ll never silence you for coming here and responding to criticisms of your writing, but if the argument turns in to anything but a discussion of the criticism of you, I’m drawing a line.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog. Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Travis Hughes on Mar 15, 2010 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions
It was an added tidbit.
I fail to see how that constitutes a theory.
If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
So it was unnecessary then?
Campbell may step away from decisions involving the Panthers, but I can’t see how he can completely say that his actions never have impact on them
"NZFlyerfan"
And that’s why (among many other reasons) he shouldn’t hold that job. It’s a terrible conflict of interest.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
by Fehr and Balanced on Mar 15, 2010 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree. That combined with the fact that he is awful at his job!
"NZFlyerfan"
by ToddtheFox on Mar 15, 2010 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Conflict or no conflict, he has proven he is incompetent. He needs to be reevaluated.
"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko
Yeah, that was the “(among many other reasons)” part.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
by Fehr and Balanced on Mar 15, 2010 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Precisely. If he’s to recuse himself of anything and everything that effects the Panthers (or whatever team is son is on), he needs to quit his job. Every decision he makes indirectly or directly impacts the Panthers, including this one.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog. Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Travis Hughes on Mar 15, 2010 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions
But what’s the point of throwing it in there if not to allow readers to draw their own conclusions and come up with possible conspiracy theories?
"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko
It wasn’t intended to lead anyone to any conclusion – it was a mere statement of fact, of interest, in the decision.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
That’s not a luxury that we have.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog. Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Travis Hughes on Mar 15, 2010 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry, hit POST too soon.
That’s not a luxury we have. We don’t get to pick and choose the consequences of what we write. It came off to me and others as a conspiracy, and if you read the comments at Japers’, there are tons of conspiracies being floated around there as well.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog. Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Travis Hughes on Mar 15, 2010 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks for the lesson in new media, Travis. I will stop picking and choosing the consequences of what I write going forward.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Isn’t this just a disagreement about perception?
Personally, I read it both ways. That it could be either a “conspiracy theory”, or that it is a legitimate point of interest. They sort of trend together a bit though.
"NZFlyerfan"
Interesting, then, in that it makes my exact point (the only one that I put forth in the quoted text): people see what they want to see.
I certainly didn’t mean to imply that Campbell suspended Ovi to protect his son. I meant to imply that Campbell shouldn’t have been involved in the decision because it would directly impact his son’s team. Guess it could’ve been more clear, in retrospect, but I honestly never even considered that first possible interpretation.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
That’s where the written word gets us all into trouble. Without vocal tone and inflection, sarcasm is difficult to detect, too. Blah.
In the end, though, I love a good conspiracy theory! As I said below, Flyers’ fans will always find that angle—if it’s there. It’s ingrained in us from birth.
"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko
by doubleh on Mar 15, 2010 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I certainly didn’t mean to imply that Campbell suspended Ovi to protect his son. I meant to imply that Campbell shouldn’t have been involved in the decision because it would directly impact his son’s team.
Same thing? If by protect, you mean protect from having lots of goals scored against his team.
"NZFlyerfan"
Or to protect from his dirty, reckless play!
Go flyers! Or something…
If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
In your opinion, are the Flyers really that much dirtier than any other team in the NHL currently so that the phrase “Go Flyers” has been warped from something we use in support, to something other teams fans use as a slight.
"NZFlyerfan"
And that’s fair, I think.
My tinfoil hat comment is more in response to the general tone I’m seeing from the DC crowd on this one, in that “how did they suspend Ovi but not Cooke, must be a conspiracy.”
By saying that they’re getting all ‘tinfoil hatty’ over at Japers’ is to say that Caps fans are, well, experiencing what just about every fan of every team feels at one point or another when these suspensions come down. It wasn’t a direct implication on you per se, so I do apologize if it came off that way as welll.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog. Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Travis Hughes on Mar 15, 2010 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions
The Cooke one is easier to ignore because of the Richards hit. It would literally be ridiculous to punish them differently. That said, there is no way that Cooke hit deserved zero PIM and zero games suspended. Ridiculous. The bigger issue for me is the Downie slew foot. Same day. More egregious. More dangerous. Dirtier player. No league reaction?
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
by Fehr and Balanced on Mar 15, 2010 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I completely agree with you in that Downie should be suspended. Rest of the season-plus, IMO.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog. Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Travis Hughes on Mar 15, 2010 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Uh, OK, whatever. I didn’t fail reading comprehension, so I know a pregnant statement when I read one. And you should know that Flyers’ fans, of all people, are the champions of conspiracy theories.
"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko
Campbell recuses himself from all decisions involving the Panthers. I don’t see how a possible suspension when the Panthers are the offender’s next opponent shouldn’t be something from which he should recuse himself as well.
But name-call and insult if you will.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I might just be stepping on a landmine here, but I think the statement that his son’s playing Ovechkin’s team tomorrow is completely irrelevant unless you’re insinuating that had some impact in his decision making. And if you are insinuating that had some impact in his decision making, you are formulating and promoting what I would say is a ridiculous conspiracy. I mean no personal insult, and I respect you and the work you’ve done putting your community together, but I do think it’s true.
And when you read me come up with a similar conspiracy theory on Silver Seven, call me out for it: We’re all fans of our respective teams, and that does colour the way we comment on the events they’re involved in.
by Peter Raaymakers on Mar 15, 2010 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions
to my mind, there’s a pretty clear distinction between “insinuating” and pointing out a conflict of interest. the conflict of interest exists in absolute terms. the NHL acknowledges as much by preventing c. campbell from issuing rulings whenever the florida panthers are involved. legally speaking, i think it’s something worth noting. the reader can run with it however s/he wants to run with it. but having read JP for years now, that’s a pretty innocuous statement coming from him.
by Natty Bumppo on Mar 16, 2010 4:55 AM EDT up reply actions
This is the important thing
but having read JP for years now, that’s a pretty innocuous statement coming from him.
That’s just his style. Seems a little funny to a person who doesn’t read JR religiously, but to us who do, well, at least I hardly noticed it.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans no more intelligent than myself
by red army line on Mar 16, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
the fact remains though, that Jasper’s is 100% correct, whether he’s willing to throw stones or not. The Panthers catch a huge break, however, you want to spin it.
Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com
by HockeyOutsiders on Mar 16, 2010 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions
yeah and this decision is going to save the Panthers season, NO
also being that the Caps and Panthers are in the same division couldn’t you then extend this argument than any decisions involving the Caps can potentially effect the Panthers, and going a step further since the Caps are in the same conference as the Panthers doesn’t any decision involving an Eastern conference rival have potential impact on the Panthers even more indirectly
say the Panthers are chasing Tampa Bay for the division title something that won’t happen probably in the next 20 years but for arguments sake the Panthers are chasing Tampa Bay in a close race. Maybe now Colin Campbell will suspend Downie for the figure four leglock takedown to help his soon catch Tampa. You can extrapolate these conspiracy theories forever and go on and on to places of extreme absurdity.
Good. AO does have a dirty element to his play, much like many other good hockey players—but the rules exist for a reason. If you have a history and you keep doing the same thing, I don’t care if you are Wayne Gretzky reincarnated, your ass needs to sit in the press box.
"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko
I don’t think ovechkin deserves a suspension. He gave the player a push from behind. It appeared Campbell lost n edge which made the hit 10x worse. It seems Like this is only a penalty when a player is falling awkwardly when there hit. People will get hurt playing hockey. Always will. Injury does not equal automatic suspension or penalty
by MadmanSamCarcillo on Mar 15, 2010 6:22 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Lost in all of this, VERSUS IS ON DIRECTV AGAIN!
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog. Makin' it look mean since 1967.
I’d like to think the agreement for Versus has something to do with this:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118016405.html?categoryid=14&cs=1
I wouldn't get to upset
by F & B and JP getting all riled up by criticizing their beloved AO. Caps fans practically stamp their fan cards with it. I made the mistake of wanting to talk hockey w/ other fans at Japers Rink. When I defended my team or disagreed w/ anything that the high and mighty had spoken, they subsequently banned me from their site. I see what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Noting their whining responses to your rational blog post has made me feel better about not taking part in their “discussions”.
I have too much respect for Travis et. al. to get into it on their site, but you know why you were banned, and it wasn’t because you defended your team or disagreed with people.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
as do I...
but I really have no other forum to “get into it”, do I?
Regarding the CC suspension
and whether he is implicated by the fact that his son happens to be playing the Caps the next night…that is laughable. Where do you draw the line on when he should “recuse himself”? Does he happen to know a person who knows a person who used to referee minor league games with a former player who has a kid in the front office of the next opponent? It’s completely ridiculous, irrelevant, and I agree with you that it makes his entire statement devoid of merit and “tinfoil hatty”.
Please read above ^
Interesting that the Caps have played three games this season already without Ovechkin (one due to suspension). Today will make it four.
I wonder though, how much does CC really think about it? His son is a hockey player, there’s always a ton of risk out on the ice. If he and other players just cover the basics (don’t face the boards, keep your head up, lean into hits, don’t leave your feet) then I think many of these questionable plays—even ones where the attacker was almost entirely at fault—would not have happened.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans no more intelligent than myself
by red army line on Mar 16, 2010 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Dude that sucks that when VS. comes back on of course they won’t be showing any f’ing Flyer games before the playoffs! At leat NBC will be showing them against the Red Wings on April 4th.
you missed the bigger picture, which is that those of us with DirectTV don’t have to worry about finding a local bar to go watch the playoffs.
Awesome.
Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com
by HockeyOutsiders on Mar 16, 2010 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
It is good that VS is back for Direct TV subscribers...
But I was getting used to ppl NOT complaining about the VS production and/or commentators. I guess we should just be thankful that it’s back and not bag on it so much, eh? Also, I was wondering how and if the Flyers being owned by Comcast played into or didn’t play into this whole controversy. What do the fans think?
damn, they have 1000 comments over at Jaspers!
Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com
by HockeyOutsiders on Mar 16, 2010 11:02 AM EDT reply actions
They get 1,000 comments for “Caps reassign Alzner to Hershey” stories.
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 16, 2010 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
wow, that’s impressive
Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com
by HockeyOutsiders on Mar 16, 2010 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Something to say? Choose one of these options to log in.
On Facebook? Use Connect to join SB Nation. Share insights with fans and friends.- » Create a new SB Nation account
- » Already registered with SB Nation? Log in!
Secondary Sidebar
Related FanPosts on Broad Street Hockey
Related FanShots on Broad Street Hockey
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Atlantic Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New Jersey
|
82 | 48 | 27 | 7 | 103 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
82 | 47 | 28 | 7 | 101 |
|
Philadelphia
|
82 | 41 | 35 | 6 | 88 |
|
New York Rangers
|
82 | 38 | 33 | 11 | 87 |
|
New York Islanders
|
82 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 79 |
(updated 4.12.2010 at 9:21 AM EDT)
Flyers Schedule
Next 5 Games
|
@
Pittsburgh
|
Thu 10/07 | 7:00 PM EDT |
|
@
St. Louis
|
Sat 10/09 | 8:00 PM EDT |
|
Colorado
|
Mon 10/11 | 7:00 PM EDT |
|
Tampa Bay
|
Thu 10/14 | 7:00 PM EDT |
|
Pittsburgh
|
Sat 10/16 | 7:00 PM EDT |
Last 5 Games
|
Chicago
|
Wed 06/09 | OT - L 3 - 4 |
|
@
Chicago
|
Sun 06/06 | L 4 - 7 |
|
Chicago
|
Fri 06/04 | W 5 - 3 |
|
Chicago
|
Wed 06/02 | OT - W 4 - 3 |
|
@
Chicago
|
Mon 05/31 | L 1 - 2 |
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Trending Topics: Odd arbitration decisions; more NHLers Tweeting
- Ovechkin wins fifth Kharlamov Trophy, talks Talbot
- Puck Headlines: Witt hits waivers; Kovalchuk grievance details set
- Jersey Fouls: Sharks get creatively awful; hockey movie pass/fail
- White, Flames agree to one-year deal; Bruins sign Wheeler
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
