Video Review: Anton Volchenkov's Elbow on Zach Boychuk
by Kevin Sellathamby on Feb 9, 2011 11:36 AM EST
in Devils Issues, Views & Analysis
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PrintWith the recent news that Anton Volchenkov might face discipline for his elbow on Zach Boychuk last night, I thought it might be a good idea to take a look at this hit with video. This isn't the first time I've done this, as I took a look at Jason Arnott's power play goal using video review in November. Except this time I'm going to use frame by frame analysis to determine whether or not Anton Volchenkov is guilty or innocent (and, to see if I can do a better job than Colin Campbell).
Update: Volchenkov gets a 3 game suspension for the hit. Feel free to use the comment section of this post to discuss the suspension.
First off: the video of the hit (via Puck Daddy's Three Stars Post)
The most important part about the video is the angle of it. In the comment section of his recap, John mentioned that a lot of the fans were surprised at the call on the ice. From their angle maybe they weren't able to get a good look at the hit. But the replay does give us an excellent angle on the hit.
Now, for the frame-by-frame analysis starting from 0:25 in the video
This angle provides an excellent view of the hit and how it develops. Boychuk (#11 in white) is the Hurricane closest to Volchenkov, and the puck is basically where the tip of Colin White's stick is (not exactly there, but you can see it). Also, note that Boychuk's got his head up here.
The next two frames of the puck and Boychuk are not going to be shown, as White obstructs the view of Boychuk, the puck and partially, Volchenkov, who are the subjects of this play.
Onto the Second Frame- The hit is starting to develop. The puck might look far away right now, closer to the Hurricanes' defenseman (Jay Harrison) and Mattias Tedenby than to Boychuk, but Boychuk is actually the one closest to the puck. Volchenkov is coming up the ice to try and keep the puck in the Canes' zone. Colin White decides to stay back on this play, which is good move on his part. Also, remember how I mentioned Boychuk keeping his head up? He's too busy going after the puck. Next frame:
This is where the hit starts to materialize. Remember how I mentioned that the puck looked closer to Harrison (#44 in White) and Tedenby? The puck's right on Boychuk's stick. Volchenkov is skating up the ice to hit Boychuk and try and create a turnover in the Hurricanes' zone and keep the puck in their zone.
As you can see, the elbow is coming up. Boychuk doesn't really have control of the puck yet, but if he can get both hands on the stick he could get it past Android. As for Volchenkov, he's past the blue line and closing in on Boychuk. Can Boychuk control the puck and get around the hulking defenseman?
Now, finally, here comes the hit. Boychuk's got both hands on his stick and is ready to play the puck. However, there's one problem with Boychuk at the moment. Remember my comment on the first frame about how Boychuk's got his head up? Yeah, he's got his head down looking at the puck, and he's not paying attention to the fact that he's about to get run over by a speeding Russian. Also, note the position of Volchenkov's elbow; it looks like he extended it.
As you can see, Boychuk's basically half way down like he was in the previous frame, and you can see Volchenkov's elbow. Also note that Boychuk wasn't in control of the puck, meaning Volchenkov couldn't have been tagged for interference on that play (if he didn't hit Boychuk with his elbow). As we all know, Volchenkov was given a 2 minute minor for elbowing after the play was called dead. Now, to look at both sides of the coin, for both Volchenkov and for Boychuk.
Why Volchenkov won't get suspended: Boychuk's head was down. Looking at the screenshots, Boychuk's focus was on the puck and not his surroundings. If he had his head up he might have been able to see Volchenkov coming earlier and tried to avoid the hit. Boychuk put himself in a bad position, and he ended up being the victim of a bad hit. Also, Volchenkov's a first time offender meaning they might be more lenient towards him.
Why Volchenkov will get suspended: It's a hit to the head. The NHL's trying to crack down on those, remember? From the replay, you can see some extension of the elbow from Volchenkov. Additionally, the hit was performed when Boychuk was in a "vulnerable" position with his head down, and Campbell and co. could use that against Volchenkov and say that his actions were reckless. A headshot's a head shot, and they're trying to get rid of those to prevent concussions. Even if it means punishing first-time offenders instead of repeat offenders and gutless pukes (coughMATTCOOKEcough).
Conclusions: First off, this isn't a blindside hit, and the main cause of this hit is Boychuk not keeping his head up. If he did he might have avoided Volchenkov's elbow and Volchenkov himself. However, it is pretty clear that Volchenkov did extend his elbow. The deciding factor will be the placement of the hit (the head). Because of that, Volchenkov will probably get suspended for his actions. I also hope Zach Boychuk has a speedy recovery as well.
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well so they said on the canes feed.
Joshd12
Brock University
BA. Sports Management, 2014
BA. Recreation and Leisure Studies, 2011
So did Volchenkov
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
"Hockey is the only job I know where you get paid to have a nap on the day of the game." - Chico Resch
by Matthew Ventolo on Feb 9, 2011 1:00 PM EST up reply actions
That he extended his elbow is pretty damning. It looked intentional to me.
He should have left his arm braced against his body and let Boychuk’s momentum carry him into the hit. May still have been a hit to the head, but it would have been incidental. Raising the elbow was a bad, split-second decision.
Volchenkov has a history of hitting guys cleanly. Hard, and clean.
This was not hard. Nor was it malicious. His elbow isn’t more than 40 degrees from the vertical. From the way he’s carrying his stick, it’s almost a natural position for it to be in, especially when preparing to shift his center of mass from his left (as he’s gliding in the frames up to and including the hit) to his right to keep skating. Shows me he wasn’t actively gaining speed prior to the hit. Moving an arm, and therefore an elbow coming out slightly more than usual, doesn’t necessarily mean “extending it” for the purposes of a hit.
He wasn’t hit that hard, not that I’d like to be in his position, but his head snapping reaction was a bit of a SAG card worthy performance.
And let’s not get me started on the retaliation that wasn’t called. That was a terrible non-call by the officials, almost like they specifically wanted to punish him without the review of the league or even the video. Nice job of ice-justice by the refs. /finger.
I don’t think it was dirty or vicious. Could either player have avoided it? Sure. Both could have were they playing smarter. Hockey, not figure skating folks.
I’d like to think that everything will be fine, but it won’t be. The league office has been touching themselves behind closed doors because the Devs have been at the bottom of the standings all season. Now that they are clawing their way back into the position of at least threatening to play spoiler for some of their cherished franchises, they’ll hit them hard. Best we can hope for is one-game suspended, they have to do something, and the non-call on getting punched in the face shoul dbe a mitigator. I think we’re more likely to see them take one glancing look at the video and claim it a malicious intentional attempt at injury and he’ll sit for three.
Good times.
What he said
And if he had hit Skinner, he would have been given the firing squad.
Meaning, I think 3 games is a little excessive… but it is what it is. It was a hit to the head and it’s not like the players don’t know the league doesn’t like those.
Now, if a first time offender gets 3 games for making a poor split-second decision that wasn’t an obvious intent to injure, what does a repeat offender who’s escaped punishment for hitting and perhaps ending the career of Savard a year ago and just recently got away with a knee-on-knee to Ovechkin get?
Should have been a 1. Shift your weight from your left to your right in a skating motion, your left arm comes out a bit, or our torso moves away from it, making it look like it comes out. Or it was just instinct. Three games for either is excessive.
From what I’ve seen, Cooke will be a phoner as well, and I think that means 5 games max. More needs an in-person hearing.
Okay, that’s not terrible.
Mark Fraser, you’re up to the plate.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
"Hockey is the only job I know where you get paid to have a nap on the day of the game." - Chico Resch
by Matthew Ventolo on Feb 9, 2011 12:17 PM EST up reply actions
The frame by frame is nice, and yeah, he deserves a couple games. Most of the videos showed only the point of contact.
He skates into a vulnerable player, he extends the elbow right before the contact just enough to clip him.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
"Hockey is the only job I know where you get paid to have a nap on the day of the game." - Chico Resch
by Matthew Ventolo on Feb 9, 2011 12:12 PM EST reply actions
Robert Holik is talking about hits to the head (I just tuned in so Volchenkov is probably the topic) on NHL Live.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
"Hockey is the only job I know where you get paid to have a nap on the day of the game." - Chico Resch
by Matthew Ventolo on Feb 9, 2011 12:27 PM EST reply actions
Robert Holik took a lot of hits to the head by all of the branches when he fell out of the ugly tree.
by elesias on Feb 9, 2011 12:30 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Awww…come on…how about a young Robert Holik with a Zach Parise supercut?
I hope to join Claude Lemieux in Hell one day for a beer....
It’s like Parise had an allergic reaction to his pizza..
by Richer on Feb 9, 2011 12:54 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
It looks like they made a bunch of Parise clones and this is the one that came out looking deformed
by whatjusthappened on Feb 9, 2011 6:39 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You have put up a logo of the Hartford Whalers.
Betmann called; he’s going to fine you.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
"Hockey is the only job I know where you get paid to have a nap on the day of the game." - Chico Resch
by Matthew Ventolo on Feb 9, 2011 1:01 PM EST up reply actions
Can anyone explain to me why Volchenkov gets a 3-game suspension while this hit gets put on the front page of NHL.com?
I think the suspension is on the high side, really, but I do think Volchenkov should have been suspended—and I’m one of the biggest A-Train fans you’ll meet.
There’s no question he elbowed the opponent in dangerous fashion, and could have held his elbow in to prevent it. Boychuk could have done more to protect himself, to be sure, but that doesn’t excuse the act, really.
Compared to the league’s other suspensions (like the Cooke one, just four games), it’s ridiculously long. But objectively, it seems like a reasonable punishment.
An Ottawa Senators fan blogging at www.silversevensens.com
by Peter Raaymakers on Feb 9, 2011 1:15 PM EST reply actions
If you ask me, when I first saw the hit, I thought Boychuk was just being careless w/ his head down. The more and more I watched it, the elbow looked more and more intentional. Boychuk was pretty careless, but obviously Android’s play was dangerous as well with that elbow.
Also, the Suspension seems like a bit too much.
In Lou We Trust/Twitter
Nothing says "Be Mine" like a pounding heart beneath the floorboards.
by Kevin Sellathamby on Feb 9, 2011 1:21 PM EST up reply actions
Both players were being careless. Boychuk forgot the first rule of hockey, and Android was having a terribad night. Elbows come out a little when skating. But yeah, he probably should have kept it in when sizing up Boychuk for the hit. A little more to his left and it would have been highlight reel material, for good reasons. He played sloppy and the ’Canes almost capitalized to the tune of a win. He should spend his suspension writing heart-felt thank you notes to Teddy and Palms for bailing him out.
Agreed
Three games is not terrible, even though I thought two would have been plenty given the nature of the hit and A-train doesn’t have the track record. But the fact that Cooke got only one more game given all of the factors surrounding his hit(s) is awful. Could the NHL at least try to hide its love fest with the Pens? We hear about a dirty hit by Cooke about once a week it seems and Volchenkov gets an almost equal suspension? I guess Devils fans should just be happy we didn’t lose any more draft picks.
Ken Danyeko just got even more awesome
More Daneyko on PD Radio, on Matt Cooke: Suggests that the NHL offer 2 weeks of “open season” on Cooke. No fines, no suspensions.
In Lou We Trust/Twitter
Nothing says "Be Mine" like a pounding heart beneath the floorboards.
by Kevin Sellathamby on Feb 9, 2011 1:50 PM EST reply actions
Thanks for the frame-by-frame breakdown
I was at the game but since it was in the far end from my seats, I didn’t notice this happened. I can see why the NHL ruled the way they did with these pictures. Thanks, Kevin.
Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog
Doing this helped me get a better perspective on the whole situation. When I wrote this I wasn’t expecting that the elbow might have been unintentional and Boychuk skated into it, but after looking at it frame by frame I eventually realized Android just extended it.
In Lou We Trust/Twitter
Nothing says "Be Mine" like a pounding heart beneath the floorboards.
by Kevin Sellathamby on Feb 9, 2011 3:47 PM EST up reply actions
I don't really agree with the suspension.
Especially it being 3 games.
And especially because the guy throwing punches won’t be (or hasn’t as of now) been even fined.
All you hear about is the past, the past... the past is the !@#$ing past, this is the present.
THIS IS TEMPORARY! A CHAMPIONSHIP IS PERMANENT
-Michael Strahan
I do no think it was intentional at all, but it happened and if the league is serious about cutting down on these kinds of hits, the suspension has to come. Though 3 is excessive; Cooke, a repeat offender, got only 4 for a much more dangerous (and clearly intentional) hit.
A has never been suspended, and as per TG , he wasn’t aiming to. As he says, its a quick moment in the game, and had Boychuk been half a step ahead, or if A had kept his elbow a bit tighter, no suspension.
Adam Larsson for Devil's Draftee 2011
It seems like the league is only doing this to save face for not taking action when Steckle hit crosby with a very similar elbow extension. Three games is a little much considering Boychuck didn’t even go down.
by whatjusthappened on Feb 9, 2011 5:45 PM EST reply actions
This is the problem
As opposed to the Matt Cooke hit on Tyutin this was a split second reaction play. Boychuk clearly drops down a step lower and is out of control when he is hit by the A-Train elbow. If anything he was extending his arm to get his shoulder out for a hit, and Volchenkov would have hit his body had Boychuk not bent down.
I think the problem is freeze framing it. When looking at it in super slow motion there is the idea that the player had a long time to think about the play beforehand.
Now when Matt Cooke runs a player from the blue line, that is a different story.
The NHL, once again, proves it has no plan or idea on what to do to curb headshots. You know what would really stop shots to the head? Outlaw fighting.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
Some links
NHL.com on Rule 48 for head hits.
Rule 48 – Illegal Check to the Head itself for head hits.
48.1 Illegal Check to the Head – A lateral or blind side hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and/or the principal point of contact is not permitted.
…
48.6 Fines and Suspensions – … If deemed appropriate, supplementary discipline can be applied by the Commissioner at his discretion (refer to Rule 28).
Rule 28 – Supplementary Discipline.
Rule 28 – Supplementary Discipline
28.1 Supplementary Discipline – In addition to the automatic fines and suspensions imposed under these rules, the Commissioner may, at his discretion, investigate any incident that occurs in connection with any Pre-season, Exhibition, League or Playoff game and may assess additional fines and/or suspensions for any offense committed during the course of a game or any aftermath thereof by a player, goalkeeper, Trainer, Manager, Coach or non-playing Club personnel or Club executive, whether or not such offense has been penalized by the Referee.
If an investigation is requested by a Club or by the League on its own initiative, it must be initiated within twenty-four (24) hours following the completion of the game in which the incident occurred.
But, it’s not as though that clarifies much.
What it tells me is that Rule 48 does not require the league to determine context, intent, repercussions, or the offending player’s prior acts.
Neither does Rule 45 – Elbowing.
Rule 45 – Elbowing
45.1 Elbowing – Elbowing shall mean the use of an extended elbow in a manner that may or may not cause injury.
45.2 Minor Penalty – The Referee, at his discretion, may assess a minor penalty, based on the degree of violence, to a player guilty of elbowing an opponent.
…
45.6 Fines and Suspensions – When a major penalty and a game misconduct is assessed for a foul resulting in an injury to the face or head of an opponent, an automatic fine of one hundred dollars ($100) shall be imposed.
If deemed appropriate, supplementary discipline can be applied by the Commissioner at his discretion (refer to Rule 28).
Thanks for the rules. They are written in a way where the NHL can do what they please. It’s vulnerable to abuse the powers but they are in a touchy situation with they head shots and the rules. It’s a grace period that hopefully in a couple years, it will be well-documented. This is the NHL we are talking about here, so I hopefully is really an understatement.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
"Hockey is the only job I know where you get paid to have a nap on the day of the game." - Chico Resch
#BeatGeorgetown
by Matthew Ventolo on Feb 9, 2011 6:57 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, I think that summarizes things well.
The rule appears clear enough: for lateral or blind-side hits, don’t make primary contact to the head, etc. But, even that seeming clarity is muddied and sometimes ignored.
Then, the fines/ punishments are inconsistent as well. E.g., Volchenkov gets 3 games… Cooke gets 4. Hmmm.
If it was a 3 game suspension for Volchenkov and 6 for Cooke, I might not say anything.
But, then, isn’t that the problem: we all have different standards for determining the severity of the call because the NHL itself uses a case-by-case basis.
Then, I’d start thinking that Cooke might be getting over-penalized for a head-shot based on his knee-capping of Ovechkin earlier in the week. But, if he had been properly suspended/ fined for the kneecapping… then the elbow wouldn’t have happened!
It’s not so complicated. Take away either their salary or freedom to play the game they love… and you will change behavior. But, it must be consistently applied so players know what to expect and how to conform to the rule.
Here is what angers me about the 3 games. Its the inconsistency and flakiness shown by the NHL on other matters leading up to this. Ed Jovanovski only got 2 games for what was a more vicious elbow last year. Yet some how Anton gets 3 games for this and Cooke gets only 4 games for trying to run someone into the next county. Why does Colin Campbell still have a job?
There is nothing quite as satisfying as out running security after you've punched out a Flyers fan!
"I was in the moment, and the moment said smack you." - Bruce Willis
Another annoying aspect of this is going most likely happen next saturday, when someone from the hurricanes is going to make volchenkov answer for himself by making him fight, taking him out of the game for another 5 minutes.
by whatjusthappened on Feb 9, 2011 8:19 PM EST reply actions
NHL doesnt work like that anymore sadly
That used to be the case that if someone hit a player like that there would be a serious beat down of that player or his teammates if he is not available.
Honestly though it wasnt the worst elbow I have seen and I wouldnt think he would get three games. Brian Boyle had a similar play on Spacek but he had his elbow against his body and Spacek’s head is the height of Boyles elbow. No actions taken against him with the incidental contact because there was no extension.
Cooke is a dirt bag he has finally gotten a suspension there is a post on blueshirt banter that has many cooke hits outlined with youtube videos he is repeat offender and I liked the Daneko quote. I wouldnt mind seeing more teams stop scummy players like Boston did tonight against Montreal. Subban might calm down with the slew foots and cheap shots now that his team got their asses kicked because of him. If the Penguins got smacked around because of Cooke his actions might not be as accepted by them and their fan base as they are.
OOO and chico is a terrible announcer
Trying to play that off was a horrible homer move. It was pretty funny hearing him try to make a case and said that looked like it really hurt. Man should stop talking in a situation like that he sounds like a pens announcer with crap like that.
Two thoughts
Volchenkov gets hit with a heavier hand by the League Disciplinarian because of the renewed hue-and-cry over hits to the head and concussions. I think it’s a bit harsh, especially as Anton is not a repeat offender, but I can’t say I’m surprised, either.
I think the League also wants Volchenkov to miss at least one more ‘Canes game this season, but making him miss both of them is an invitation to unnecessary roughhousing similar to last week’s Boston-Dallas game, where there were three fights in the first four seconds somewhat related to a hit from two seasons back that wasn’t ever “properly avenged”. By letting Anton play in Carolina (and have another game before that to get his feet back under him), the League lets the teams get this out of their system this year as opposed to it festering and being a feature down the line.
Terrible Hit
100% intentional no analysis needed. I don’t want players to be afraid to play physical because of the NHL scaring them with suspensions, but this was just dirty embarrassment to the organization, similar to the crosby hit, and that may have changed him forever. Luckily Boychuk seems fine.
Go Devils!
Huh, so this is what its like to be a leafs fan..
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