Kovalchuk caught for using illegal stick....again

**ronaldo** · 02-01-2006, 01:17 AM

Kovalchuk must have felt even worse. The NHL's top goal scorer failed to hit the net for the fifth game in a row, watched Pominville score the tie-breaking goal, and he was penalized for an illegal stick with just under five minutes remaining, wiping out a potential Atlanta power play.

"We benched him and his stick at the same time," Ruff said. "Everybody on our bench saw it. You can't hide that."

Once Kovalchuk got out of the penalty box, he spent the rest of the game on the bench. Clearly, coach Bob Hartley was disgusted with his young star.

"It's a matter of showing respect to the entire team, the organization and the fans," Hartley said. "I hope he'll learn from this."

from tsn.ca

this tells you alot about him as a player...seing as this is the 2nd time hes been caught using an illegal stick

**Kirbs17** · 02-01-2006, 01:19 AM

wow...... Fuck he doesnt learn. Good on hartley for benching him. I wonder if the league will step in

**roopi** · 02-01-2006, 01:25 AM

Why would the league step in?

This isn't that big of a deal. It happens quite a bit. It's a matter of knowing when to use the stick and when not to.

**Kirbs17** · 02-01-2006, 01:33 AM

maybe because its a second offense, i dont know what their policy is

**ronaldo** · 02-01-2006, 01:34 AM

i dont think the league will step in but this should defininately hurt his chances to beat out ovechkin or crosby for any awards

**BerserkerCatSplat** · 02-01-2006, 01:43 AM

What was illegal about it? The curve?

3G · 02-01-2006, 01:44 AM

whats an illegal stick

**ronaldo** · 02-01-2006, 01:44 AM

too much curve

**buh_buh** · 02-01-2006, 02:25 AM

Originally posted by ronaldo
i dont think the league will step in but this should defininately hurt his chances to beat out ovechkin or crosby for any awards

and what awards is he in the running for with Ovechkin and Crosby? The only awards Ovechkin and Crosby have a chance at this year that's a judged award is the Calder, which Kovalchuk can't win.

**coolstoryhansel** · 02-01-2006, 02:58 AM

Originally posted by buh_buh
and what awards is he in the running for with Ovechkin and Crosby? The only awards Ovechkin and Crosby have a chance at this year that's a judged award is the Calder, which Kovalchuk can't win.

he's competing for the art ross and maurice richard trophies

**buh_buh** · 02-01-2006, 03:50 AM

like I said, judged award.
him getting caught with an illegal stick isn't going to hurt his art ross and maurice richard trophy chances.

**tapout** · 02-01-2006, 04:41 AM

Originally posted by buh_buh
like I said, judged award.
him getting caught with an illegal stick isn't going to hurt his art ross and maurice richard trophy chances.

**SOAB** · 02-01-2006, 10:13 AM

holy crap. some of you act like he was just caught using steroids for the second time

**dericer** · 02-01-2006, 10:29 AM

Originally posted by SOAB
holy crap. some of you act like he was just caught using steroids for the second time

lol.

Does everyone forget Joey Mullen?

He was notorious for having illegal sticks.

**stevieo** · 02-01-2006, 10:46 AM

haha this is retarded, you know how many other superstars in the NHL use illegal curves? i think its a retarded rule, if you wanna have a 50inch curve go for it.

**asuth077** · 02-01-2006, 10:58 AM

Illegal sticks aren't a new phenomenon. A few years ago Kelly Rhudy on Hockey Night in Canada let it slip on how goalies use to get their illegal sticks into the game.

During warmup they bring out all their sticks and put them on the bench so that they ref can see them before the game. Then they bring out their "other stick" marked and use that one instead.

Samsanov was also caught in January along with Paul Mara with illegal sticks.

It is pretty bad when its the fourth time in your career though and your in a race for a scoring title.

But what is the solution? Can you suspend someone for something like that?

**HuMz** · 02-01-2006, 11:06 AM

this isn't a big deal at all......prior to edmonton's last game mactavish got penalties in his favour 3 games in a row for pointing out an illegal stick each time....

It's alot more common come playoff race/time because the games/penalties/goals mean so much more

**dericer** · 02-01-2006, 11:11 AM

Hrudy was also talking about how players used to trick other teams, but with the opposite tactics.

Some players would write "practise stick", or "illegal stick" on tape on their sticks and then use them in say, the third period.

Of course they weren't illegal, and the other team would get a penalty for delay of game when the refs measured it, and it was legal.

The reason stick curves can be illegal is any player could roof the puck from the crease too easily with a massive curve, making it damn near impossible to make saves close in.

**SOAB** · 02-01-2006, 02:51 PM

my question is why the hell would you want anyone suspended because of an illegal stick? thats ludicrous...

go play ringette ya baby!!

**lastprodigy** · 02-01-2006, 03:19 PM

beyond angel police crew to the rescue.....no big deal at all....put a illegally curved stick in the hands of some dolt like donald brashear and its not like he would score anymore goals

Thread: Kovalchuk caught for using illegal stick....again

Thread Tools

Search Thread