The Goons Win Again

The Stanley Cup Playoffs ended early for a lot of us.

Too bad. Fast hockey. End to end rushes. Spectacular goal tending. Hockey exhibiting a passion for the true game.

Then came the hit early in Game Three. Canucks defenceman Aaron Rome went for the head of Nathan Horton, Boston’s top goal scorer. He got it. Horton was trucked off to hospital and is gone for this year. Rome got five minutes for interference -- what’s called a late hit. It was intent to injure, but the NHL has yet to figure out what that really means.

The NHL later suspended Rome for the rest of the playoffs, possibly trying to soothe fans who are outraged at the league’s inability to get really serious and end savage hockey in which players get hurt.

The league introduced a rule against headhunting this season but after two months there were 33 reported concussions, more than the entire previous season. And, later there was Sidney Crosby; remember him? 

NHL Hockey: It's becoming a Blur

Do fans have to put it in flashing neon lights for Commissioner Gary Bettman and his big city suits: STOP THE GOON HOCKEY! WE DON’T WANT TO WATCH IT.



Some fans will not be watching tonight, or any other night in this playoff. Something good was happening, almost like a revival of the hockey we knew before the money changers got hold of it.

Oh well, it’s summertime and the living is easy. Shouldn’t be inside watching TV anyway.