[icehog3]

Originally Posted by Prefy

There was no doubt it was a dirty hit.

We will have to agree to disagree, Matt.

Originally Posted by 357

Upon a closer look the puck was at his feet. It was passed to Pominville and Hjalmarsson got there pretty much right as the puck did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-4aH7nnPjc

Hjalmarsson did hit him from behind, not directly behind, more of a 45 degree angle from behind and to the side. Hjalmarsson hit Pominville where Pominville could not have been expected to see him coming.

Havlat was circling. He was skating forward, facing Kronwall when he was hit; both his body and his head. Havlat was skating, turned his head to find the puck to his right as he circled left, it went between his legs as he straightened out along the boards, so he looked down to find it, and then looked up just as Kronwall was about to hit him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KJm-qcnnC0

And, his feet were on the ice when contact was made...



That said I don't think Hjalmarsson was trying to hurt him. He just took a bad angle on a well timed hit.

I know the Kronwall hit wasn't dirty and was from the front, I was exaggerating to make my point, Mike, but you are right on all counts on that one. I agree that Nik wasn't trying to hurt P'ville and it was an unfortunate result.