Video: New York Ranger's Colton Orr hits Carolina's Matt Cullen in the head

by ryan | December 27, 2007 at 01:09 pm

1606 views | 0 Recommendations | 0 comments

Last night the Rangers played the Hurricanes, midway through the 2nd period Colton Orr barreled in to Matt Cullen. Hitting him in the head and knocking him to the ice. Cullen broke his nose and is likely to have a concussion as well. Hockey analysts and bloggers are a buzz debating the hit, the punishment, and the future ramifications.

When Rangers forward Colton Orr hit Carolina center Matt Cullen with an open-ice blow in the second period of Wednesday night’s game at Madison Square Garden, it took several views of the replay to even form an opinion on whether the hit was dirty or clean. And people will walk away with different views, no matter how many times they see it. On the ice, the referees initially indicated to Rangers captains that there would be no penalty, but conferred and gave Orr a five-minute major for interference and a game misconduct.

I think the hit merited a 5 minute major for roughing, not interference as Cullen had the puck. If Cullen's head had been up then there would be nothing to talk about. As such, some of the responsibility lies with Cullen. But, as someone who plays hockey, there is always that split second before you hit someone when you can put on the breaks and change your angle. Orr should have done that.

This situation is not comparable to the Chris Simon stomp or the Bertuzzi hit. Those were malicious acts of violence not related to the game of hockey, this was an over zealous body check.

And yes, the league should crack down on head shots - it's benefits no one, not the players or the spectators.

See here for the video.

2 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon