Debate: Mike Richards Hit on David Booth

by Matt Reitz on October 25, 2009

We’ll find out today or tomorrow if Colin Campbell plans to suspend Flyers captain Mike Richards for this hit on David Booth. Do you think this was a clean hit? Dirty? Do you think it makes a difference that David Booth spent the night in the hospital for observation?

Take a look at the hit and judge for yourself.

Matt Reitz

Matt Reitz is an NHL Writer for ProHockeyTalk on NBCSports and the Editor-In-Chief here at ViewFromMySeats.com. When he's not shoving a mic in the face of NHLers or explaining why home teams should wear white, he's usually trying to figure out what song to play next on his iPod. It's a never-ending job.

philly phan

It is not a good situation for all of the players involved but that doesnt mean that it was a dirty hit. He lead with his shoulder, didn’t leave his feet, and if Booth did not tun his head up and over at the last minute, I am not so sure it would have not been a head shot. First thing they teach you in peewees is to learn how to skate with the puck with your head up. Lindros’s carrer was cut short because he liked going through the center of the ice with his head down. But you are right that if it was any other Flyer, Pronger, Hartnell, Jones, Carcillo, Asham, you name it there would have been a lengthy suspension.

It is a fast game and things happen very fast. There are times when players don’t have but split seconds to act. I wish Booth all the best but maybe he will learn to keep his head up. And to answer a few questions I have had about the chance there will be retaliation next time they play. I sure hope that cooler heads will prevail but if the Panthers want to bring it, I don’t think there has been a Flyer in history that doesnt know what to do.
http://www.viewfrommyseats.com Matt

arthur: I happen to agree that it’s a clean hit… but its much more in the gray area than you seem to think… and Meg knows as much about hockey as most people around the sport…. so ease up with the “stay in the kitchen” bullshit.

Richards kept his elbow down and Booth was skating with his head down. The 2nd angle shows that Richards didn’t make contact with (or lead with) the elbow… so I’m not surprised that he avoided suspension.

Something to think about– if this was someone else on the Flyers (think Hartnell or Carcillo), would there be a suspension for a shot to the head? Just a thought…
http://www.viewfrommyseats.com saronoff

It needs to be a dirty hit but I’m not sure it now is. Shoulders to the head should be treated the same way elbows are but at the current time they are not.
arthur

Meg…stay in the kitchen…that was a totally clean hit
Meg Jarrell

Dirty, because it looks like Richards threw his elbow up under Booth’s chin right before the hit. If it’s a clean hit, the hospital doesn’t matter so much – just a tough break. But even if he didn’t go to the hospital, I’d look at pretty harsh suspension on this one. I don’t think you just happen to be heading cross ice and “accidentally” nail someone in the head.

TONY

AND DON,T LEAVE THE KITCHEN ,MEG,IF YOU DO,MAKE SURE ITS TO THE LAUNDRY ROOM OR THE BEDROOM,LOL,LOL,WOMEN ARE LIKE KIDS,SHOULD BE SEEN BUT NOT HEARD,THIS IS A MAN,S GAME SWEETIE

tony

Just teasing you Meg,you are entitled to your opinion,I agree,Richard,s was like a cougar,seen his prey and lunged at it,cougar I am referring to here is the animal one,not the older woman one,just wanted to get it straight,