Originally posted by Phil Rohtla:
Arvedson's nose broke, gloves or no gloves. It hurts either way.

Dropping them would have been simpler from a penalty perspective. If he drops the Kohos to go, then it's fighting-related penalties, no more, and it's clear cut. But, by attacking a guy like that and not dropping them, it is different, as are the penalites (unless I am completely turned around on the rules, which is possible). I haven't been in a hockey fight, but I think if Tie had called Magnus out and dropped his gloves, even if there wasn't a fight, he would make the necessary statement in a way that didn't cost him and his team nearly as much. Not saying it would have better to drop the gloves, but ironically it might have been smarter.

Don't get me wrong, for years Tie was my guy. I was a Jets fan, and he kept Selanne from bleeding. But now, he seems to be losing it too often. Where's the Baumer when you need him?



Just in case it seems otherwise, I'm really not getting upset about all this or trying to insult anyone, I just love talking hockey psychology!

Yes, it would have been easy for Tie to drop the mits and grab Arvedson, but I don't think that would send the intended message. I think Domi was in fact trying to play head games with him - you know, swat him a few times, scare the piss out of him, chase him around a little. Just to scare him and get him to back down. Mission accomplished I believe. (I'm not saying I blame him for not wanting to go with Domi - I know I wouldn't ) I think that, even with Domi getting suspended for it, it will show up in the playoffs how intimidated Arvedson is. I'm not saying I agree with the tactics, I'm just giving my perspective on the situation. I don't think Tie is a dumb "goon" by any means - he just playes tougher than most. That's his role, and he fills it as best he can.

Domi and Tucker are both warriors - they are not the average level-headed guys on the street. If they were, they would never have made it to the level they are at playing the way they do. They both have a few screws loose, and this sometimes results in poor judgement. In the game of hockey, it's the millisecond decisions that win or lose games, and sometimes instinct takes hold over reason. That said, I don't think they are the worst offenders in the league, but they need to realize that anything Toronto does these days will be looked at through a magnifying glass.

On another note, the Nolan pickup, and now the Wesley pickup are starting to heat things up for the playoffs. Now if Ottawa gets Ray then we may have a war on our hands! I love hockey!

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