Another Odd Game, This Time Hawks v. Sharks
What was with that broohaha in the first period with Hawks’ Kris Versteeg and Patrick Kane, the Sharks’ Jonathan Cheechoo, and the officials? Clearly the replay indicated that it was Patrick Kane that high-sticked Jonathan Cheechoo in the nose, not Versteeg. Yet it was Kris Versteeg who was sent to the penalty box for the double minor penalty. The officials even had video replay so there was no excuse for calling the penalty on the wrong player.
And why didn’t Patrick Kane speak up and ask to take the penalty over Versteeg, since Kane knew it was his infraction? And if it’s down to Kane or Versteeg in the box during a penalty, you want Kane in the box, not Versteeg since Versteeg is much more potent on the penalty kill than Kane. So all the more reason for Kane to have spoken up and claimed the penalty. Worse, the Hawks had their subsequent goal recalled because of Kane’s error in judgment.
And as an aside, I am very disappointed in Patrick Kane lately. Not only have some of his comments of late indicated he may be getting a swelled head, but when high-sticking Cheechoo in the nose, Kane clearly appeared to be trying to hurt Cheechoo. Hopefully after the game, the NHL assesses the penalty to the correct guilty party, Patrick Kane, not Kris Versteeg. Also considering that Kris Versteeg was suspended for instigating with the Phoenix Coyotes earlier in the season because it was believed Versteeg was trying to hurt Kyle Turris, I wouldn’t be surprised if Patrick Kane gets suspended. If he does, he deserves it. It’s one thing to play aggressively (forechecking and all that) and defend yourself and your teammates; it’s another thing to gun for someone and intentionally try to hurt them. The latter is goon hockey and the Hawks are better than that…
…On a less sour note, Jonathan Toews scored two goals (I was so hoping he’d get a hat trick!), Versteeg one, and Duncan Keith one (Welcome back Dunc!) in the Hawks’ 4-2 win over the Sharks.