Lightning Have Mixed Emotions Over Neil's Hit

[The Crow]

Again, the Lightning, at that point in the game can't take a chance like that in taking an extra penalty. Konopka went after him in the third and challenged him. Had this been in the first period, this conversation would not be taking place.

[Jack Schitt]

Although the hit was technically clean, that is just one of those things where a message should be sent IMO.

I like Konopka's attitude about it, and am glad he cleared up the "repercussions" statement.

That being said ... now that the game has been hyped it will not materialize. Buttman has probably already been on the horn.... How many times have we seen that happen?

[Cat Smasher]

On a smaller, yet similar scale, that's like Ohlund hitting Kessel the other night, then Orr saying after the game "Ohlunds gonna get it next time!"

[The Crow]

Originally Posted by Cat Smasher

On a smaller, yet similar scale, that's like Ohlund hitting Kessel the other night, then Orr saying after the game "Ohlunds gonna get it next time!"

I completely disagree. There are a couple things wrong with that.

#1

The hitter, in this case, was a legit tough guy with a history of taking runs and being dirty at times as well as delivering thunderous checks, whereas in the other case, is a Swedish defenseman (Ohlund) who will get at most three fights a season.

#2

The victim,while in both instances is a very good, young player, was injured and will at least have missed one game due to the Neil hit, whereas Kessel returned and played very well afterwards.


While I, as most on here believe it was a good hit, and imo abiding by the rules, there are a few things I can see it being called dirty for. Not in the cheap shot sense, but in the "Dirty yet clean" (see VF's thread) sense. Neil clearly made no effort to touch the puck, and he did end up making contact with Hedman's chin. He also appeared to have left his feet a couple inches (which I personally am not mad in the least about, it was momentum). Combine that with Neil's history of taking runs and playing tougher at home, and his rivalry with Z, and I can at least call his comments understandable. Konopka has been a team captain and has said numerous times his teammates are like brothers, and that is why I think this could be "dirty" in his book.

[Cat Smasher]

Originally Posted by The Crow

I completely disagree. There are a couple things wrong with that.

The fact it was Neil, makes it worse. Talk is cheap.

Let's say it was Konopka that hit Kessel, then Orr said Konopka is gonna pay next time...same thing, completely stupid.

Makes it even more ridiculous really. And I agree with everyone else, the hit was clean.

[silverback]

Originally Posted by The Crow

It's not about whether Neil should be scared of certain guys, it's a team showing that they won't forget about this hit and will get their revenge come April. Konopka edged out Neil anyway this year in most peoples eyes, as did Matt Walker.

You can't get revenge if you don't have anybody that can beat the guy. I'm not just talking about edging someone out on points either. Konopka hasn't impressed me with the quality of his fights. Glad he's fighting at a decent rate, but that doesn't mean squat to Neil.

Now, if Konopka wants to take a run at Spezza or something than fine, but he needs to shut his mouth about the hit being dirty. He just sounds like a bitchy little girl. Thought he was suppose to be an old school guy?

Originally Posted by Skorka85

So Konopka who leads the team in fights doesn't show up? You think he had nothing to say to Neil and never challenged him the whole rest of the night? You don't know a thing about Konopka if you think that. It's not about wether it's a clean hit or not, a teammate got ran, end of story. Retribution doesn't always come right away, the next shift, the next period or even that game. Hockey players have elephantine memories, and jumping a guy in a game or trying to force him to fight isn't always the best course of action.

It's not about what Konopka did or didn't do during the game, if he doesn't run his mouth to the media after the game about Neil's hit being dirty and how there will be payback next time. Please....as pointed out multiple times, the Lightning have nobody to even make the Sens think twice about playing them again. I'm sure Neil got a good laugh.

[The Crow]

Originally Posted by Cat Smasher

The fact it was Neil, makes it worse. Talk is cheap.

Let's say it was Konopka that hit Kessel, then Orr said Konopka is gonna pay next time...same thing, completely stupid.

Makes it even more ridiculous really. And I agree with everyone else, the hit was clean.

Kessel wasn't injured, and it wasn't Konopka who hit him. It's not the same thing, they are two different circumstances with different types of players involved.

Originally Posted by silverback

You can't get revenge if you don't have anybody that can beat the guy. I'm not just talking about edging someone out on points either. Konopka hasn't impressed me with the quality of his fights. Glad he's fighting at a decent rate, but that doesn't mean squat to Neil.

Now, if Konopka wants to take a run at Spezza or something than fine, but he needs to shut his mouth about the hit being dirty. He just sounds like a bitchy little girl. Thought he was suppose to be an old school guy?



It's not about what Konopka did or didn't do during the game, if he doesn't run his mouth to the media after the game about Neil's hit being dirty and how there will be payback next time. Please....as pointed out multiple times, the Lightning have nobody to even make the Sens think twice about playing them again. I'm sure Neil got a good laugh.

Who's the bitchy little girl?

The Lightning have 2 guys who have beaten Neil according to many on this site, and I'd say Walker is a better fghter than Neil is. You act as if there is something wrong with a team wanting revenge for a hit. You're acting like only teams with tougher players than the other team have the right to say they want reprecussions. Do you realize how pessimistic and dumb that sounds? Konopka didn't "run his mouth". If the media confronts him on the hit, is he supposed to run away or not give his opinion on it?

[Cat Smasher]

Originally Posted by The Crow

Kessel wasn't injured, and it wasn't Konopka who hit him. It's not the same thing, they are two different circumstances with different types of players involved.

Kessel was injured, it was his first game back, and he left the game, but thankfully he eventually came back.

I don't think you're getting my point.

A tough guy hitting a player, and having another tough guy call him out for it, instead of doing something about it, is a little more ridiculous because they can fight.
vs
A tough guy calling out a non fighter after a hit, because you know he can't do anything about it short from jumping him, or hitting someone else in retaliation.

Don't talk, just do it.

[Jack Schitt]

Originally Posted by Cat Smasher

Don't talk, just do it.

It all boils down to that ^^^^^.

[RetardedChimp]

What are people whining about Konopka for?

The next time these teams play if Konopka doesn't force the issue then I can see people saying 'talk is cheap'. Otherwise he is stating what everyone here wishes would happen more often, players wanting the league to stay out of it while letting each other settle it on the ice.

I like Hedman's and Konopka's attitudes here.

[Knucklechucker]

Originally Posted by The Crow

Kessel wasn't injured, and it wasn't Konopka who hit him. It's not the same thing, they are two different circumstances with different types of players involved.



Who's the bitchy little girl?

The Lightning have 2 guys who have beaten Neil according to many on this site, and I'd say Walker is a better fghter than Neil is. You act as if there is something wrong with a team wanting revenge for a hit. You're acting like only teams with tougher players than the other team have the right to say they want reprecussions. Do you realize how pessimistic and dumb that sounds? Konopka didn't "run his mouth". If the media confronts him on the hit, is he supposed to run away or not give his opinion on it?

I agree with EVERYTHING you said, expect that walker is a better scrapper then Neil.

edit: imma chime in here, why do you guys care that Konopka is talking ****? Its either gonna happen next game or it won't, and if Konopka and Neil are both in the game, I could see it happening.

To be honest, I don't think Konopka is the type of guy who is gonna listen if Bettman tells the teams too keep it clean.

[ToxinX]

Originally Posted by acd1

Honestly, I think this is a situation where Vinny should have jumped Neil to make a statement.

Good clean hit, but you can't allow your young star to take that kind of hit without seeking retribution.

Are you really saying Vincent Lecavalier should have fought Chris Neil? I know he's having a slow start to the year, but that's no reason to commit suicide! Besides, from the looks of things, Vinny's days of leading the team in FMs and goals are over. He might be in last place for both by the end of the year if he doesn't get his sh*t together.

[Cat Smasher]

Originally Posted by Knucklechucker

Its either gonna happen next game or it won't, and if Konopka and Neil are both in the game, I could see it happening.

I'm not bitching, just saying Z had the chance that game, regardless of the score, and now he has to next game. Which is good for us.

[The Crow]

Originally Posted by Cat Smasher

Kessel was injured, it was his first game back, and he left the game, but thankfully he eventually came back.

I don't think you're getting my point.

A tough guy hitting a player, and having another tough guy call him out for it, instead of doing something about it, is a little more ridiculous because they can fight.
vs
A tough guy calling out a non fighter after a hit, because you know he can't do anything about it short from jumping him, or hitting someone else in retaliation.

Don't talk, just do it.

You don't seem to be getting my point. They don't play till April 8th, it's gonna be awhile until something is "done". Is there something against a player voicing his opinion on a hit? Please enlighten me.

[lilburtis9363]

Konopka is just pissed because Neil refused to fight him after the hit. Can't blame him at all for that, Neil has to answer to him.