The Raffi Torres Hit

Good morning Polar_bear

Great post to stimulate intelligent hockey talk. 

I thought in 2011 RT was just a loose cannon vs Chicago . In 2012 I felt just before the Hossa hit RT was making a real impact again vs Chicago , very physical and was inside the Hawks heads for sure every time he was on the ice. Most shifts he was contributing with  high energy ,   because of the physical play some scoring opportunity's. Then the Hossa hit.

I was watching this game in which Stoll was hit and my immediate reaction was yikes not again. As you know Polar Bear you have to score to get into the NHL and you have to fight and hit to stay. While I agree with your perfectly worded description on how to make a body check, in this particular play ,Stoll was in a crouched position playing the puck when Torres lined him up . To say intent to the head or shoulder is irrelevant. While I agree the initial contact was on Stolls shoulder it was ONLY glancing  and the brunt of the impact unfortunately was Stolls head. In the last 3 playoff seasons with 3 different teams , Torres has targeted key players with hit to hurt checks. My personal believe that because of Torres body position to make the check was not intended at the head , but shoulder to shoulder. It is the speed and Stoll's lowered body position at which it happened which resulted in a glancing shoulder hit with the majority coming on Stolls side of the head. When the head hit occurred , the suspension people and everything with it come into play. The Shanahan , Bettman talk are separate issues. Wilson's emotional reaction to to be expected, he got Torres for reasons of being a team with more grit in the playoffs and it was proving right as what Torres did against is former team in the 1st round. Again Polar Bear you are right , only 6 mins during shorten season, playing and contributing . Does a leopard change his spots ? Torres playing well doing what he is paid to do , then putting himself in a position to make a hurting hit on the edge and yikes!