The only thing anyone is really talking about from Saturday’s Kings-Avalanche tilt is Johnson’s hit on Smyth and how the Avalanche responded. Before the most memorable part of the game, it was obvious that one team was working to keep their playoff spot and the other team was taking steps toward the beginning of the end of this year’s Kings. It is easy to say and laudable to believe that Los Angeles players are skating for contracts. It is quite another to do it.
The visitors took a scant three shots on goal in the first and spent the entire first period in their own zone. But for Cloutier and a shot off the post, the first 20 ended with the score even. As has been the case on this road trip, the Kings started the second with the same amount of shots from the first period in the first three minutes. That strong start ended when the Avalanche scored on their first chance of the middle stanza and two more followed. Despite being even in the circle in the first, the Kings’ centers
sans Cammalleri who won all seven face-offs, Kopitar, O’Sullivan, Giuliano and Ellis got schooled. They just did.
Then was the hit heard around the NHL. Was this the night that Jack MF Johnson earned his collegiate nickname at this level? Regardless of how the hit is perceived, there appears little doubt that whatever effect it has on Smyth is partially attributable to where on the ice it took place. After Johnson finished his check on Smyth, the gritty winger ended up at the end of the bench and glass section known as the ‘turnbuckle’ a word I never heard before Saturday.
Rather than editorialize, everyone should watch the hit for themselves:
What followed after is every player’s nightmare, being taken off of the ice on boards with their neck immobilized to preclude paralysis or further injury. Smyth was walking and conscious before he was taken to the hospital for tests. My good wishes and prayers are with him -- as are everyone elses.
The actions that followed on the way to the Avalanche victory is what many Kings’ fans wanted to see happen when Smyth’s stick took out LaBarbera earlier this season at Staples Center. Laperriere went to Johnson for what has to follow per ‘The Code’.
Here is how TSN described what happened next:
“Johnson felt bad about the check that sent Smyth sprawling to the ice. However, he knew what was coming next. Clean hit or not, a fight had to happen. It’s part of hockey’s code.
But there’s honor among fighters, and Laperriere extended Johnson the courtesy of deciding when the brawl would occur.
“He came up to me and said, ‘Do you want to get it over with?”’ Johnson said. “I said, ‘Sure.”’
The fight never took place as Rob Blake stepped in and played the role of peacemaker, quickly breaking up the fracas. He didn’t want to see his young defenseman get hurt by the fists of Laperriere. Not for what he thought was a clean hit.
“Unfortunately, Ryan got hurt on the play, and nobody wants to see that,” said Blake, a former Avalanche player. “Jack is a young guy and I think we need to let the situation go.”
Hockey's Code Plays Out
I readily acknowledge that Blake was the player I blamed first when no King demanded either Smyth or any other Avalanche pay the price, or honor the 'Code', after LaBarbera was taken out in the earlier game this season. Last week, again I called foul with how Blake handled his 'no trade clause'. It seems appropriate that I now give credit to the Kings' captain for stepping in before Laperriere and Johnson went at it. It is not that Johnson cannot 'man up'and do what is required. Rather, during Blake's injury and after Modry's trade, my perception is that Johnson tended to become less able to pick his spots. With Blake back, he can help Johnson become the defenseman he is meant to be with the right seasoning and on ice example.
This may seem a moot point since Colorado won the game. The third period the home team spent more time head hunting then playing their own game. If the Avalanche missed the playoffs by 2 points, then this game would be an example of winning the battle and losing the war.
At some point, looking at the big picture and keeping one's eye on the ball should be the goal, not proving how good a teammate one is or isn't. If Johnson's hit was intentional or anywhere but the turn buckle, then maybe how Colorado responded would make more sense to me. I remember the fall-out and blame game that followed earlier in the year.
More than one fan said in the prior Avalanche-Kings' game, if Laperriere or Avery were still on the Kings, then these individuals would have done what the situation mandated. Saturday, 'Lappy', proved the past prognosticators 100% correct. I respect how he responded to Johnson's hit. I give credit to Blake for being the mentor the Kings need him to be and Johnson for putting himself out there to take his lumps.
After that initial response, speaking solely for myself, if the third period is what Kings' fans wanted earlier in the year, I am glad the players passed. Code or no code, at some point, ice justice needs to know when it is time to stop and get back to the game.
There is my .02 cents, what is yours?
Carla Muller
carla.hockeygal@att.net