Let the witch-hunt begin...

Just a very quick post following on from the Boxing Day Brad Voth incident...the video of the hit is now up on youtube here:

Brad Voth hits Ashley Tait

To me it looks nasty, but nothing like the attempt to kill some Steeler fans are calling it...the hit comes only half a second or so after the shot and thus, under the rules, it's not "late". However, it is high and very hard indeed-Voth makes no attempt to adjust for Tait being four inches shorter nor looking in the other direction.

Certainly it's not a lot worse than this classic...which is generally viewed as one of the best few hits of the past few years-the major issue is Tait looking the other way when the hit comes in....

And I notice Steelers have also been strangely silent about Jeremy Cornish sucker-punching Sylvain Deschatelets (right hand side on the last few seconds of the clip)-that DOES look nasty...

That's just my opinion, anyway...feel free to share yours-Steelers, Devils and neutrals alike.

For the record, Voth has received six games suspension...

On Arrogance and Money

I was going to produce the Breakaway Awards today as promised, but my Update Christmas Special produced this very interesting post from Mark in the comments...

We deserve to be were we are" is sounding more like a premonition than a proclamation. The Vipers need Wins and convincing wins. The vipers were always a club that worked its socks off on the ice and wore its heart on its sleeve which seems to be lacking this season. On paper it is the most skilled side we have had in years but the on ice product is lacking. This maybe because (up until now) we've always had a strong contingent of local Players, the like of Weaver Leach Trumbley come to mind. Petr Kratky must be looking over his shoulder with a smile looking at our last 5 games. Rumor has it former players are on there way back-Hinks and Robinson have been banded about the arena. Rob Wilson needs to look at his Hockey clipboard and start doing something with the circles and x's because it's just not working.

This set me thinking somewhat, as up until a few weeks ago the general tone on Blaze forums was similar to Wilson's comment-"we're just that damn good" was the general theme. However, the recent injuries and several losses have provoked a similar reaction on Blaze forums to the above view from the North East...Barrie Moore is coming in for some stick yet again, there was a several page thread on who should be cut appearing on the Dragon's Den forum.
This has set me thinking. Is there a culture in British hockey whereby failiure is an instant cause for panic, especially among clubs who might be used to winning? I've been comparing the reactions in Coventry and Newcastle to those from Manchester, as the Phoenix also started very well indeed but have slipped off somewhat, and there's simply not the same worries...the Phoenix fans appear to be far more tolerant of their teams' mishaps. So is it a question of fanbase expectations, or is it arrogance, or what? I'd be interested to hear views on this one...

And now for the money section...It appears I'm on my own as far as the Christmas shirts go-all the comments thus far in response to my questioning their value have been fully in support of these special shirts. All the points made have been perfectly valid-however, I can't get past the old saying of "familiarity breeds contempt"...

Anyway-that is enough for now...more to come tomorrow, I hope...

Keep keeping your eye on the puck...