The one thing that bugged me about that hit on Ross was not that it was similar to what Ovechkin did to him but after it when Cote went to go fight him and he turtled. usually he does this to get the other man a penalty while hes gets off scotch free but in a situation like that what do you have to lose? You just boarded a player's face into the boards and you know you will be thrown out given the name on the back of your jersey and by what you did so why not man up and take him on?

I don't know if it is was Ruff tells him to do, maybe he encourages Kaleta to avoid getting into fights no matter the circumstance but if that is not the case then Kaleta is acting like a coward. The Sabres have some players that know how to fight so why doesn't one of them teach him how because whenever Kaleta does get into an altercation he is only good for hugs and headlocks. I understand that by not fighting he draws penalties every now and then but every now and then you need to drop the gloves and do something to the other guys face other than wink at it.

I'm sure Kaleta was hoping he would only get a boarding major without a misconduct and went the turtle route just to prevent the refs for giving them an excuse to eject him anyway.

_________________
"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

You people raise my blood pressure every time one of these threads gets started.

that used to be my main gripe on kaleta. i feared a player would run a star of the sabres out of frusteration of not evening the score on kaleta.

however, i find he doesnt really turtle much anymore, and my distaste for him is almost gone.

_________________

I'm sure he was as surprised as we were when he got a 5 min major and a game for that hit. He turtled to draw a penalty because he thought it was a clean hit. Don't come here and try to pull the Kaleta sucks, he's a waste of space, he doesn't nothing but dirty hits and turtles bit. He knows how to fight. Here are some examples of him fighting.....

_________________

Same here Squanto, I thought we killed this issue last season. I guess I was wrong

_________________

Kaleta purposely meant to hit Ross in the numbers and ram his head into the boards, right? Kaleta had him lined up to hit him shoulder to shoulder, Ross saw him coming and turned at the last second, putting himself in a very bad position. Kaleta couldn't slow his momentum at that point, and it turned out bad. Kaleta didn't intend to injure Ross, so why would he fight?

_________________

I don't understand why players turn their backs like that.

Nothing good ever, EVER, comes out of it.

_________________
Wheelhouse

I agree with both of the last posts and the only reason the refs hammered Kaleta is because he's Kaleta.

_________________

Indeed. You have to wonder if it's something being coached. Seems like more and more players are turning away from hits at the last second to draw boarding and roughing calls.

I can tell you in USA hockey, when players reach peewees and they're first learning how to check, this is a topic of major discussion.

There's a very big emphasis on two things;

Keeping your head up, and never turning your back along the boards.

I certainly hope that coaches aren't preaching the opposite for a measly power play at the professional level.

But knowing some of the hockey coaches I've had, I suppose I wouldn't be surprised.

_________________
Wheelhouse

IMO in this case, Patty did good in not fighting. He didn't draw an extra 5 for fighting. Also, it would have pleased the Philthy fans if he dropped the mitts because no matter what the outcome of the fight might have been, their fans would have claimed a victory.

In the case of what has recently been known as "The Hit", if the NHL suspends Kaleta, they better be prepared for the first time Crosby or one of the other (un)usual suspects get out of line and hand them the SAME discipline as the grunts in the league. It makes me sick that the NHL is considering a further discipline on Patty, when Ovechkin has been taking runs at guys since he came into the league. Oh wait, I forgot. He is one of the few who draw the crowds, who’s' name sells the merchandise and is supposed to be a poster child for the NHL. ANYONE who dishes out hits like this, regardless as to how much money they make for themselves or the league should be given the same punishment as the next guy. If they didn't suspend the "Great 8", then Patty gets nothing as well. Put him on warning? Sure. Let him know the league is watching for the next time and will follow it up then. But make sure they blanket this treatment with the whole league and cut out this bias fucking bullshit.

_________________
If it's a tight squeeze, spit on it! - NyI

He's a middling AHL player who had the good fortune of a drunk arbitrator. - The Squanto re: Tim Kennedy

The NHL has already set precedence with Ovie. Kaleta will have to tone down his hitting so they don't call another boarding major in the next 41 games
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/26/AR2009112602402.html

_________________

Thanks for the link, sabresindc!

Well, I like the fact they addressed it. Hopefully Patty will receive the same treatment. But with others now knowing of this kind of "punnishment" the league is handing out, makes you wonder if players will be willing to take one for the team. If say Kaleta is sizing up someone along the boards, will someone turn their numbers to him at the last second again and force him to draw a game ejection on purpose?

_________________
If it's a tight squeeze, spit on it! - NyI

He's a middling AHL player who had the good fortune of a drunk arbitrator. - The Squanto re: Tim Kennedy

im just posting in this thread cuz I wanted to tell sabresindc that I absolutely love his avatar! great choice! people falling=my guilty pleasure

and so I can say this post wasn't completely pointless..i love kaleta.
that is all.

Another point is that it was Cote. He and Kaleta aren't exactly in the same weight class and Patty knows that.

_________________
Driver of the Tyler Ennis Bandwagon, Ridin' shotgun on the Tyler Myers Bandwagon, chillin' on the Luke Adam Bandwagon


Eh

Thanks Mel, I've always loved your too

_________________

KEEP HITTING & KEEP TURTLING KALETA !!!!

DRAW MORE PENALTIES BABY !!!!!

_________________
"It is more about them than it is about the team...Cannot play with them, cannot win with them, cannot coach with them. Can't do it. I want winners. I want people that want to win." - Mike Singletary

Tyler Myers - Future captain of the Buffalo Sabres, and future Norris Trophy Winner

Manning the machine gun on the Tyler Myers Bandwagon - just in case any teams have an idea of prying him away from us (3 GM's shot already)

Connolly/Roy - 2 goals in the last 47 playoff games

This guy brings up a valid point. Now I could blow Kaleta first to keep people from flaming me, but I'm not going to. I know what his value to this team is. I'm afraid that Kaleta's reputation around the league may become that of an agitator who can't back his shit up. I'd rather that wasn't the case, and if kicking someone's ass more often would avoid that, then so be it.

He doesnt turtle due to fear; he has proven that. Anyone who doesnt give a rats ass who he hits including the likes of Chara....and sometimes does "man-up" , it's obvious he is, in fact, an agitator. He is playing games with the emotions of the opponent; in doing so, he accomplishes his goal by invoking that emotional outburst and drawing a penalty. Any retaliation on his part would erase that intent. The sad part is that he puts his body at risk for his team and they dont back him up with a PP goal.... but then again, if they scored more on the PP, the rest of the league might actually "get it" and smarten up.....kinda slick thinking if you ask me.

_________________
I try to think, but nuttin happens.......Curley Howard
There is no past as it exists merely as a slippery bond tying the memories of the past to the dreams of the future.............Me
If we started life as an old person and lived until we were young, we would eventually finish off fucked as an orgasm.......George Carlin