So which makes the CHL look worse, Brad MacMillan punching a guy once or Boosier-Shreveport goaltender Ryan Munce's obsence gestures Wednesday night? One is part of the game, and one is definitely not, but MacMillan gets suspended for 22 games and Munce gets nothing? The league said basically Munce's actions didn't show up on tape and were not included in the referee's post-game report. Funny, pretty much the same thing was true in MacMillan's case because the gametape was doctored and nothing was shown that happened before or after, but the league still creamed him for what it thought happened without obvious proof.
The league should at the very least fine Munce for his actions. If the referee didn't include them in his report, then he should be fined as well. The league is supposed to be providing family entertainment and that was anything but. And isn't the referee supposed to be observing as much as humanly possible on the ice? That wasn't even all that hard to see. There's no way the referee or one of the linesmen could miss it unless they were trying not to or were simply ignoring it.
And please, let's not turn this into an argument over whether he had the right to be upset, because that's not the issue here. Though his artumHis actions were indefensible.
If the referee didn't see it, then ask the off-ice officials what they saw. C'mon, CHL, let's have at least a little bit of consistency and decorum here. Simply by basic standards, the league cannot allow what happened Wednesday to pass without punishment.
Comments
The only other thing that can be added is that the Komets could have requested a review and they didnt... The Journal noted that the only ways something like that can be reviewed is if there is a penalty called, mention in the officials report, or a review asked for by one of the teams involved...
I'm not going to debate right or wrong and I dont condone that kind of behaviour; but I am not as easily offended as most, I guess...
If that didn't offend you, then what would?
Not much, Blake... I was in the military and saw ALOT... Its a childish gesture that is used to incite thin skinned people, really... The best way to deal with that sort of thing is laugh at the idiot giving the gesture, teach your kids (if you have them) how moronic it is and move on...
If you let things like that offend you, then your going to be offended all the time...
Should Al get fined for using the F word that i have heard him yell numerous of times, and im a across the arena! Im not easily offended so his gesture doesnt bother me.
Oh, heck yes, which is why he got kicked out of the playoff game two years ago.
So you guys are basically saying anything goes?
Agreed. Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion, but it is a hockey game. Any guy who has ever been in any sport has seen far worse in practice. Some of you should take a walk down a high school hallway during passing period and see what you think. I kind of think some people go to hockey games expecting Disney on ice. Sports are not rated G, and if you think they are/should be then you're probably a bit naive. Are the language and gestures necessary? No, but they are part of sports and a lot of people find them entertaining, which I've read on here several times is the name of the game in minor league sports. I guess my advice to all is just put on your mastadon skins and enjoy the game.
Sorry there has to be some standards or there's anarchy.
Standards? We're talking minor league hockey here...LOL
Because of a formality, Munce isnt getting fined for an upscale version of what Boucher did in the Wichita game.
As we have all seen, year after year, justice in hockey is FAR from fair and will continue to be so for the forseeable future...
I really think it all comes down to how athletes are coached, especially at a young age... If Athletes are taught the right way early, your less likely to have those moments of stupidity; but we're also talking about things that happen in the heat of the moment and I've seen some of the most moral, educated people completely lose thier marbles and take a short ride on the crazy train in a heated moment...
Blake, you are 100% correct. I am not offended by it anymore. I am 61. But as a former teacher of young kids, I think it is disgusting and he should have at least been hit in the pocket book or suspended for his behaivior. You wrote a perfect article in my opinion. Shame on those who condone that behavior. By not calling it out, it is being condoned.
Can't say what Munce did offended me...But then again the only thing that could offend me during a game is if a guy took his skate off and stabbed another guy and even then i'm not sure if offended would be the correct word. I've grown up around sports and I've played them at many levels, I've seen much worse than a guy enjoying his stick...I'm probably guilty of doing something worse in the heat of the moment..As shocking as it may be, I was a bit of a hot head on the competition field. If a guy wants to make a fool of himself, that's on him. Sometimes in the heat of battle you lose yourself in the moment, it happens.
Blake is right players get called for "verbal" actions against officals which fans can't hear, but a player shows what he wants to do with his paddle..... with hockey in this country shrinking, you would think that the quality of league management & officals would be better..... of course, it had nothing to with the fact that B-S is in the playoff hunt....
I wasn't offended. I thought it was funny he was acting so childish, but then I'm not a father. But to compare it to what Mac did is apples and oranges in my opinion. Was Mac's penalty too harsh... I think yes. But the CHL pleading ignorance of Munce's reaction and the reaction of several players and the coach who were yelling lord-knows-what at the ref after the final horn makes them seem silly.
Of course it's not all that much better in the NHL, where Trevor Gillies has proven he's nothing but a menace looking to maim someone and the NHL still won't boot him for the season, and Chara can nearly break someone's neck and get off with in game penalties and nothing further.
Because Chara's hit wasn't dirty...
One or 2 games for being careless about how/where you hit someone where it results in what might've been a catastrophic injury? I don't think that would've been out of line, especially considering the history between Chara and Pancioretti (I know I butchered the spelling) prior to that hit. I don't think Chara meant to maim him or even put him in the hospital, but I think he knew who was there and where they were on the ice.
I personally was not offended because I have seen it all; however, the obscene gesture was definitely inappropriate. I wonder how those of you who seem to think it was perfectly okay would have felt if you were sitting there with your young son and/or daughter, or your grandchildren, and they asked you for an explanation. Actions like that are uncalled for whether on a public sidewalk or in a sports arena. Blake, you are 100% correct! The CHL is terribly inconsistent.
Mac's punishment was based on history and reputation. I think we can all agree on that. Bouch was deserving of a fine for his gesture during the Wichita game. However, Magers and Munce not getting punishment makes the league look like the joke it is. Brosal and Pickard would have at least fined them, if not suspended them.
I'm not asking for equal punishment, I'm asking for simple, fair punishment for everyone. Not pick and choose who gets fined and suspended. Makes me wonder if it had been Reiter, if he'd have gotten the hammer? If I had to guess, I'd guess yes.
This is a travesty.
Just from the aspect that the CHL has been so inconsistant in how they have ruled or not ruled on these sorts of things.
For all of you mad at the league, remember that this is a unionized league and they have guidlines to follow in actions that may or may not deserve suspensions or fines... They just cant do as they please like the UHL and IHL2 could... The Journal states in thier article that the league said since there was no penalty called, no mention in the referee"s report, and the Komets didnt ask for a review, there was nothing they COULD do. They didnt say that it didnt deserve one or the other. As much as you may not like it in a situation like this, the players have rights when they have a union backing them up...
Also, I have kids and I am not afraid to discuss situations like this with them even if they dont ask... I have found that those who are the most offended by things like this are those people who are scared to death to have conversations with thier kids and explain something like what Munce did. I would rather have my kids see something like that when they are younger so that they will remember what dad had to say on the subject, and lay down the law right then and there, more so than the "act" itself. I would much rather have my kids prepared for the ugly side of life BEFORE they leave the nest...
And if the morality police want to clean things up and make an impression on kids early, then I would recommend they start attending youth sporting events . They could start with the terribly large amount of parents these days who have no decorum at all... I have heard some of the most vile and disturbing things yelled at ref's, coaches, and players in a game where 8 year olds are playing to last me a lifetime and that leave me scratching my head.
I have accepted the job of being the role model for my children, not leaving that to the actions of a professional athlete........
Here's the thing. Was it a classy thing that the goaltender did? No, of course not. Would it have been better for everyone if it didn't hsppen? Maybe.
Blake, if you sat in the stands on any given night, chances are you will hear stuff much, much worse. The intelligence level of our society as a whole has plummeted in the last thirty years. Along with it the ability to behave in public has also taken a hit. I know that when I go to a hockey game I am liable to see anything. From coaches using foul language, to coaches throwing equipment onto the ice in a tantrum, from players fighting, from spectators fighting, from spectators using foul language, alcohol giving some a form of false bravado, a general lack of any behavioral skills.
I've said this before. Fans that attend hockey games are just a step above those who attend professional wrestling. Most times it is just a short step.
Blake, you compared an obscene gesture to a punch that caved a players face in. Sorry, but Mac got what he deserved. And so did Munce. I didn't see this alleged obscene gesture and what I did see from Munce, the ref decided to let go. If the CHL decdided to punish all players for acting like idiots, there would be a lot of open roster spots. I'm sure if nothing else the Mudbugs were told to tell Munce to tone it down a bit. A warning was all that would be required.
I hate it when goalies makes obscene gestures at the other team. Zero class. I heard the Wichita Thunder also dislike it.