That's a good distinction.

And yeah, I'd be lying if I said that part of what I love about a good body check isn't the knowledge that it causes the recipient pain. Hockey is a violent sport and it gets my blood flowing at least partially because of some sort of primal bloodlust.

There's also no doubt to me how effective that hit was. It was the single most important play of that game and it should have played more of a part in the outcome of the game if Buffalo could have taken advantage of at least one of the 5 or 6 powerplays they got as a result of it.

All that said, it didn't exactly make me feel great that a potential concussion of a player with a history of concussions played such a big part in what I thought was a great game. I really enjoyed that game and somehow Kaleta's antics made the win feel somewhat tainted, sue me.

I don't doubt that and they need to be. Just him being on the ice is a distraction to the opposing team and if he draws a penalty, that's a bonus

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Well Prucha was kind of hunched over coming up the ice, and Kaleta looked like he went right for the shoulder and not the head.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Every team has a different make up that they rely on to win games.

There is no such thing as a 'tainted' win. You have to work hard enough to put yourself in a position to win hockey games.

In this case, we rely on Kaleta to stir things up for us and help us on the power play. Just because we had those opportunities doesn't mean the win is tainted. Especially when you consider the fact that they played 60 minutes of hockey without letting up... for the 2nd game in a row.

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Wheelhouse

I guess part of why it bothers me is that it's obviously not an isolated incident, and really, that's all nthe guy is out there to do: throw checks and incite the other team. People on these boards (or at least the old ones) often criticize players for being one-dimensional if that one dimension is offense. "Vanek's a floater", "Ovetchkin's a cherry-picker", and on and on. But everybody thinks this guy is some sort of hero.

Early last season, that was my biggest complaint about Kaleta, and I'd say you are correct.

But you forget that he's also one of the best penalty killing forwards on our team. He's excellent at blocking shots at the point.

In addition, Kaleta is one of the hardest backcheckers on our team. There have been many instances that he's broken up odd man rushes with his speed and effort on the backcheck.

He's still young, too. The offensive side of his game will come with time. But for now, he's not one dimensional anymore and he's one of the most important guys on our roster.

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Wheelhouse

He hits, draws penalties, blocks shots, and were he to play 75-82 games, could probably pop in 5-10 goals every year. Seems pretty multidimensional to me.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

He had 9 points last year. Now he probably created another 5-10 goals through drawing penalties, and I'm certainly not saying he isn't effective, but let's be honest here, he's out there to piss people off. He's like Paul Newman in Slapshot talking to the goalie about fucking his wife.

heh heh heh...I loved that...

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Its NNYFAN, but you can just call me Kris.

There's always one in every crowd.

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

and thats fucking stupid. his team mate was hurt. he did what he should have done, and dropped em to say "dont do that..." his boy was down, so he fought.

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Welcome to the Bettmans new NHL. Kindlier gentler hockey players where if you start a fight after a clean hit, you get the instigator....no questions asked

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The instigator rule causes more violence than it prevents.

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

and squanto, i know the rules, im just used to IHL rules

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yepp...i am not sure how he did statistically last year...but the year before he led the league in average penalties drawn per game....who cares if he only gets 9 points....the pp he creates for us make him a top "scorer....

Kaleta is my favorite sabre....

GO PAT !!! KEEP CRUSHIN' EM !!!

ps: anyone know what setting i have to change so when i hilite stuff you don't see the bold parentheses, etc. ? thanks

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"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

Agreed.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Prucha wasn't paying attention, he needs to keep his head up. Kaleta was doing his job, and boy did he do it. Let's just hope the guys work more on the power play so we can really take advantage of Kaleta drawing penalties left and right.

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"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

This.

[size=200]KEEP IT UP PATTY !!!

YOU'RE AN ANIMAL !!!!![/size]

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"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

the coyotes facebook page has an update on the guy that got KO'ed. the fans are bitching that it was a dirty hit, the refs were favoring buffalo, its BS that Kaleta got nothing for the hit, the refs cost them the game. i found it kind of funny.

unfortunately i dont think they have a message board so i couldnt see what they were saying there.

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Check out my website: http://www.artistzero.com

"That wasn't very nice...I do believe you killed my hat."

Driver of the FIRE LINDY RUFF Bandwagon since 2008.