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About This Page: This is a discussion on News within the LetsGoKings.com forums, at Los Angeles Kings Hockey Fan Forum. 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,
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.”
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.
Very well said.
I found it rather ironic that Smyth was the player that got hurt after what he did to LaBarbera. I understant the code and I do not want to see any players get hurt, but I guess I have to end this with the old saying of, "what goes around comes around". Unfortunately that saying is more for Smyth than Johnson.
I don't think Blake should have gotten involved. Fortunately the Kings don't have them on the schedule again this season. Let them have a go at it. Either way, if "the code" holds up, that's the end of it right? Sure Blake's heart was in the right place, but his ass should have stayed out of it and let JJ take his lumps, or deliver them, like a man. NOBODY wants to see the NHL be watered down any more than it already has been. JJ and Lappy fight, Colorado fans are happy, and the issue goes away. ESPECIALLY for all the people that wanted some retribution for the "spear" Smyth was so horrendously guilty of earlier this season, you can't have it only one way. If the hit on Smyth was retribution for hurting LaBarbera, Lappy dropping them with JJ was the same.
__________________ Better than a sandwich and far more entertaining than bread.~kingsjohn/Obediah "You are out of your mind" ~Deeker "All reactionaries have is Conflict as a tool. Consensus is a foreign word." ~go
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.
What??? Never heard of a "turnbuckle"...girl you need to watch some pro wrasslin...
Only wish you had mentioned the prior hit on Frolov, it was basically the same hit, same area. Interesting that the Av's fans were FINE with that hit, but when JMFJ returns the favor it's a different story entirely.
Regardless of which team was being rooted for, on clean hits the feelings are always the same.
I hope Smyth gets better soon.
__________________ "Failure is the key to success; each mistake teaches us something." O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, Founder of Aikido
Blake should have minded his own business and let Johnson take care of his own business. It's not as if it was Scott Parker going after the little boy.
Only wish you had mentioned the prior hit on Frolov, it was basically the same hit, same area. Interesting that the Av's fans were FINE with that hit, but when JMFJ returns the favor it's a different story entirely.
and who made THAT hit, kids? that's right, Ian LaDerriere.
__________________ GESCOM:it's never too early to start beefing up your obituary!
It seems to me that, considering the individual and the courtesey, Blakey shoulda stayed out of it. I understand if Lappy was the kinda guy to go Todd Bertuzzi on someone, then heck, hit him over the head with your stick for all I care. (In fact in that guys case, I still wait for the day...) But since Lappy does seem to be a good guy with a sense of honor, he's not going to try to injure JJ seriously, just show everyone he's standing up for his team. It's good to see Blakey standing up for the boy, just seems a little misplaced to me, though can't hold it against him too much.
__________________ -Fish
"When you can't run anymore you crawl, and when you can't crawl, when you can't do that..."
Karma to whomever can finish that.
code choad... LaDerriere is as stupid as he is stupid. the hit on Smyth happened in the second period and according to Blake, they watched the hit during intermission which means you KNOW full well that the Avalanche also watched it again.
if it was all about "code," then why didn't he go after Jon Klemm? THAT was an illegal hit which insofar has been determined to be more serious in terms of injury to Marek Svatos.
Carla Muller
The Code 
TOTM Award(s): 1
