Jason Spezza Caught with Illegal Stick
 

I like how he "smoothly" tries to play it off...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uib2Geixgxc

:r :r :r

Re: Jason Spezza Caught with Illegal Stick
 

Nice try, Spezza. ;) :r

Re: Jason Spezza Caught with Illegal Stick
 

Fail

Re: Jason Spezza Caught with Illegal Stick
 

I don't know much about hockey. What was illegal about the stick?

Re: Jason Spezza Caught with Illegal Stick
 

Too much curvature of the blade. The amount allowed is in the league rules.

Re: Jason Spezza Caught with Illegal Stick
 

I thought that looked like a Cuban.

Re: Jason Spezza Caught with Illegal Stick
 

What does the extra curvature do? Allow you to control the puck better?

Re: Jason Spezza Caught with Illegal Stick
 

It makes it easier to lift the puck when close to the net, or in a shorter swing of the stick.

This is a very common rule violation. Teams can request any player's stick be measured (1" curve is max I believe). However, if the requesting team is wrong they get a 2 minute minor penalty. So, teams will only do so if they are 100% sure and at a crucial time of a game.

So what I'm saying is probably 50-60% of the players in the NHL use a stick that's in violation, but that is close enough where another team won't chance it. Not a big deal, and I'm no Spezza fan.

Re: Jason Spezza Caught with Illegal Stick
 

Freakin' hilarious!!! :r
Not sure which was funnier... the attemtped "switcheroo", or when he knew he was busted and tried flat-out breaking the damned thing! Classic!!! :r

Re: Jason Spezza Caught with Illegal Stick
 

Well that's another part of the rule. He has to have the stick in his hand when challenged otherwise the other team is penalized. So usually players have 5 or more sticks each in the bench area. So they often have different curves like 3 illegal and 2 legal, etc.

Re: Jason Spezza Caught with Illegal Stick
 

he gave it a good shot....just not quick enough haha

Re: Jason Spezza Caught with Illegal Stick
 

In addition to what has already been said, the curvature seems to add more velocity to the puck and makes its flight more unpredictable, kind of like a 120 mph knuckle ball.

Re: Jason Spezza Caught with Illegal Stick
 

Spezza's stick was also deemed illegal because it was not at least 2" wide near the toe of the stick....from the NHL Rulebook:

Re: Jason Spezza Caught with Illegal Stick
 

thiness of blade, toe curve, length...almost like a golf club in a way..i dont feel bad for him, everyone does it....lke they said on the video, look at alex O. his is worse, trust me i have seen it....but thanks for the post, its always funny...especailly when he broke it on the ice....lol

Re: Jason Spezza Caught with Illegal Stick
 

Exactly! Pretty funny... :D

Re: Jason Spezza Caught with Illegal Stick
 

damn...almost!

Re: Jason Spezza Caught with Illegal Stick
 

He must have bought it on the internet..
Hockey stick B&Ms get the best sticks.:ih

Re: Jason Spezza Caught with Illegal Stick
 

:r

Re: Jason Spezza Caught with Illegal Stick
 

That was pretty funny when they brought up Alex the Great... and you're right, they ALL have illegal sticks (either in-hand, or behind the bench). I couldn't remember the last time I saw 'em call for a measurement, either... I think one of the announcers said Game 2, McSorely (figures! LOL), but I still haven't gone back to give it a second look.

Is it April yet?....

Re: Jason Spezza Caught with Illegal Stick
 

I remember a couple years ago the sharks called someone for it. Ended up being pretty important, just don't remember who it was against.