I agree the hits to the head need to be addressed in some way. However, unless I am missing something, it doesn’t look like his feet leave the ice. It also doesn’t look like it was intentional although who knows what they are thinking when these hits happen.

I don’t think that it was intentional. If you look at the replay you can see that Marchand and Umberger were both looking at the puck and at the time of contact Umberger leaned down to reach out for the puck and Marchand elbow, although out, it wasn’t raised anywhere head high where you could say he was going for anyone’s head. It is unfortunate for players when it happens. In this case I have to agree with the on ice call and I think it was incidental contact.

First of all I have been a Bruins Fan all my life. I watched Brad Marchand down in providence although he is a bruin he is a little dirty sometimes. On that hit he did bring up his arm and elbow and did make contact ,but I also thought Umberger did a little acting at the same time which is also no good for the game kinda like soccer.They act like the world came down on them then when it really happens no one wants to listen. I think the NHL will have to save face and suspend him for a game and it might do Brad Marchand some good because he is a Feisty good player on a team of want a bee’s.

Marchand is what, 5’8″? If he is elbowing you in the back of the head, you are putting yourself in a bad position. Umberger had his back turned and was bent down to get the puck…My mom has hit me harder

Lifelong B’s fan, but to me this was clearly intentional; otherwise he would’ve kept his arm down. Sorry, but these guys can look at the puck AND still see their surroundings (it’s a hockey skill called peripheral vision).

Given several other instances last night I don’t discount the likelihood of some embellishment by Umberger.

Marchand is reading the play in behind Umberger and lines him up as Marchand goes for the puck. The elbow is clearly above Umberger’s shoulder and marked for his head. Should result in fine and/or suspension.

-Frank, long time Bruins fan

Maybe you should play this back at full speed. You may then think twice about his intent. Also, Umberger clearly leans into Marchand’s path. There’s a reason why nothing was called on the ice, the refs saw this as incidental contact despite the fact that they were calling an extremely tight game against the Bruins.

First of all, I am a big Marchand fan. I like his feisty style of play and the fact that he is not intimidated by larger players. Also, I did not think the Chara hit was illegal or intentional.

However, the rule clearly states that if the back checking forward initiates contact to the head of the player then there will be a suspension. I doubt Marchand intended to hit Umberger in the head; but he did. This is exactly the type of hit they are trying to eliminate and Marchand will be suspended for this hit. The problem is that Brad hit the guy from behind with his elbow and it caught the guy in the back of his head. Whether he mean to do it or not doesn’t really matter because it happened. Next time he should take the extra step and hit the guy from the side with his hip.

I would doubt he gets more than a game or two as it is Brad’s first offense. With the slump Brad has been in; it may do him some good to rest up and get rid of any bumps and bruises he has for the stretch run. Not a big deal, hope Brad continues to play his game as he has been excellent so far this season.

sorry guys, look at brad’s eyes.. focused on the puck during the whole incident… no intent there.

Umberger clearly faked an injury to draw a penalty.Ther is no doubt that Marchands elbow made at least slight contact with the head of umberger.Marchand never left his feet nor did he make a drastic effort to come in contact with his head equals no penalty and no suspension.

Sorry guys, enormous Bruins fan, but that’s worthy of a game suspension. The elbow clearly hits him in the back of the head. If that hit went against us, we’d be crying for a suspension, just like I believe we would have been doing with the Chara hit if that had happened to Marchand.

Every sports fan is going to be biased towards their allegiance, we can’t change that. But, being as neutral as possible here, the Chara hit was not suspend-able, this hit is.

Let it go.
Czech out the story about the cops and Chara.
http://www.thehockeyshow.net

@Deano….I believe the rule uses the word “target” not initiate when describe blows to the head. He clearly doesnt target him and if you look at his footwork, he looks like he is trying to get around him……

Peter, sorry I stand corrected. I should have said targeted not initiate. I still think he gets a game either way. I said I did not think Marchand intended to hit him in the head. I am just saying it is close enough to the rule, they wrote that he will most likely will be suspended. However, if you watch the play in real time he was going for the puck obviously. However, if he takes one more step to the left and hits him with his hip, he separates the guy from the puck enough to make the play in my opinion and we aren’t talking about another dumb hit.

On a side note, I heard a guy named joe on weei yesterday call in and say no more fighting in Hockey. Someone please tell Mutt and Lou (neither know anything about hockey) to tell that guy he is a moron for a million different reasons, I won’t even get into why fighting should be in hockey, just blow up any callers that bring that to the table. Anyone else hear this crap?