David Koci vs Nick Boynton

So, welcome to the new NHL boys and girls. That was the EXACT same type of hit Chris Neil laid on Drury and yet Neil, the loser, doesn't even get a minor, and Koci gets a major for a SHOULDER check.

I don't get it. Hollweg boards Simon from behind, no penalty, Simon, dazed, retaliates and likely will be done in the NHL from the sound of things thanks to the media totally over blowing it and yet what is the difference between Koci and Neil? Nothing, if you ask me but somehow, Neil doesn't rate a penalty and Koci gets a major for charging?

Makes no sense at all just like the scheduling, the new sissy hooking rules, the idiotic shootouts, and the rest of Bettman's NHL.

This fight began by a knockout hit by Koci. It looked like a clean shoulder check but laid the yote out. Boynton aa usual, sticks up for his teammate. Koci looks to land a couple before Boynton wrestles him down meriting an edge.

Heck of a first game for Koci, three fights 42 pims. He got a charging major, fighting major and double game misconduct for this incident. Way to make an impression.

Charging shall mean the actions of a player who, as a result of distance traveled, shall violently check an opponent in any manner. A "Charge" may be the result of a check into the boards, into the goal frame or in open ice.
A minor or major penalty shall be imposed on a player who skates or jumps into, or charges an opponent in any manner.
When a major penalty is imposed under this Rule for a foul resulting in an injury to the face or head of an opponent, a game misconduct shall be imposed, and an automatic fine of one hundred dollars ($100).
A minor, major or a major and a game misconduct shall be imposed on a player who charges a goalkeeper while the goalkeeper is within his goal crease.
" a distance traveled " ? Well that is pretty clear. He traveled from the Czech Republic to play in the NHL that is quite a distance. I always thought it was 3 strides. In any case, I don't really see that as a charge.

EDGE Koci for landing few shots.

Koci getting a penalty for his shoulder hit was a joke. Someone else said it earlier but Neil hit Drury the EXACT same way and didn't get ANYTHING.

Was the hit vicious? Sure. But it was clean. If I remember correctly, you're taught when you're little to KEEP YOUR HEAD UP! They were both skating the same direction. Is Koci supposed to let up on this guy because he's 6 inches shorter?

If you want to watch Holiday on Ice don't go to a hockey game. In the late 70's and 80's guys played the game rough and tumble and players were responsible for their own actions. Today's NHL is weak compared to back then. It's a shame...

that guys a tool

Clear WIN Koci. Props to Boynton for stepping in to defend a teammate but he didn't fare well here. Thomas was admiring his pass and paid for it. The hit didn't seem late to me. The puck was just released and Koci is a head bigger than Thomas thus the shoulder to head/jaw. I love Koci. He played like an oldtime goon in this game. Great NHL debut, rook!

3 fights in your first NHL game must be a record of some sort.

Not much of a fight, Boynton did pretty well. Props to him.

Damn, get Koci a leash/

Blackhawks needed an enforcer. And they got him... What's wrong? He does his job, which he was called for. But I have to admit someone can feel that it's no time for this kind of play after Simon's dirty slash...

not really a fight agreed there. as far as a blind shot that most are saying. are you watching the same video. watch the guys feet. they are pointed in the same direction as koci. in other words if you can't look at whats coming at you then its your own fault. he set himself up for a hit by looking over his right shoulder for 2 secs. watch the clip again. they both start at opposite sides of the ice but same spot. they converge on center ice the whole time thomas is looking at down ice to the right not where hes going. i am not a fan of either of these two teams or players. i just think its stupid that any player that doesn't keep his head up is never at fault for recieving a hit like that. koci was in front of him at the time of the hit.

Have to agree with the non-fight here, however for some of you that may not know this (judging by first page of posts, most of you do not) the NHL is cracking down on hits to the head, as they should be. Koci had every right to hit Thomas, BUT NOT TO THE HEAD!!!!

You may say that the head was all that he could hit, that is not true. He lead with his shoulder right to the chin, it is clear from the last part of the video that his intent was to knock the guy out.

After seeing the video, I would have to say he should have gotten an intent to injure misconduct. It's a tough call for the official, who is trailing the play, he has to give a major here, it obviously wasn't a cross-check or elbow, spear, slash or roughing...that leaves charging. My guess is that Koci's actions earlier in the game were taken into account here.

For those of you who have never been on the bench of a professional hockey team, that was the right call. Hitting is part of hockey, but head hunting isn't.

i'm just glad the guy won't be in the line-up against my sharks on tuesday night...

Koci wins the fight, and you have to give kudos to Boynton for sticking up for his team mate. That hit was a bit of cheap shot, but it does not warrant an expulsion from the NHL, a half second earlier and it would have been a legal hit. You gotta keep your head up in todays NHL, or you will end up on the ice bleeding.