Volchenkov's hit on Simon Gagne: Fair or Foul?

Our friend Dirk Hoag takes a frame-by-frame analysis of the Simon Gagne hit, looking at four frames within the same second, and comes to this conclusion: "There is simply no way that Volchenkov had time to pull up once Gagne turned to face the boards. [...] At the time he was coming in, he expected to nail Gagne from the side, which is completely legal."

about 2 years ago DarrenM 16 comments 0 recs |

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Completely agree.

It’s obvious. Gagne turns right as he’s being hit.

Volchie just plain old couldn’t stop….

by oldmonk on Mar 24, 2010 3:05 PM EDT reply actions

I think the most dangerous thing about the hit is that kids might watch it and think it’s a good idea to turn their backs, like it’s boxing and you can use the rule against rabbit punching to protect yourself at the last second. The only ways to protect yourself against a hit are to brace yourself or get out of the way. That’s what we should be teaching kids, not give him your back like Floyd Mayweather.

Anaheim Calling

by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Mar 24, 2010 3:24 PM EDT reply actions

Yep.

I remember having full practices where we learned NEVER to stand near the boards and turn like Gagne did, to keep our heads on swivels, and hug the boards when a hit was coming to soften the impact.

I don’t think Gagne was trying to turn his back to get a penalty, I think he was just being careless… kind of like Anton was doing by going at him with that speed. I’m glad Gagne wasn’t injured on the play, as it easily could’ve happened given the circumstances.

Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.

by DarrenM on Mar 24, 2010 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think he was looking for a penalty either. I think he may have been hoping it was strategically the right thing to do, like Volchenkov would miss him or be forced to pull up and pin him to the boards or something, but it’s a big guy and a hard hitter who follows through. I’d sooner give him my back than face him and stick my chin out.

Anaheim Calling

by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Mar 24, 2010 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions

woops. meant, ‘no sooner’

Anaheim Calling

by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Mar 24, 2010 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions

haha, was wondering bout that

Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.

by DarrenM on Mar 24, 2010 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions

He could not pull out of that hit.

The first time I watched it I thought he tried. Put it this way. Volchenkov could have easily hit him harder.

by sens_24 on Mar 24, 2010 5:14 PM EDT reply actions

This is very true

www.silversevensens.com

by Peter Raaymakers on Mar 24, 2010 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions

While its my opinion the 'from behind' aspect of the hit can be dismissed

…based on the fact that yes, Gagne turned his back to the play in quick fashion ,I do think there are other questionable aspects to the Volchenkov hit. Namely, boarding.

It looks to me like a textbook boarding call given the distance that a stationary, albeit pivoting Simon Gagne was from the side boards, and given the clear intent of Volchenkov, who came in at a high rate of speed.

Although, anyone who has seen a Volchenkov hit or two in the past can deduce that he did let up at the moment of contact. If he had followed through in true style, Gagne would have been in rough shape.

by LeTigre on Mar 24, 2010 5:28 PM EDT reply actions

broken neck.

Like I said. He could have easily hit him harder. And if this was front on it wouldn’t have been boarding because Gagne would have tried to counter the hit with his own weight and wouldnt have gone into the boards. Instead he turns and here we are…

by sens_24 on Mar 24, 2010 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions