Viewpoint

TooToo has to be talented to make the NHL,some
commence says its because of publicity(FIRST INUIT)poor excuse he is just a good tough always giving his all player.As for Madono and
Robids some commence said they are clean talented players,well you must understand this
is not a game were certain players can't be
hit and stick handle were ever they want they
will be hit just like any other player,"talented and clean",or"talented and tough just as TooToo is,so understand that NHL
hockey is all about big hits,fights,goals,and
winning,this is the canadian game.Let it be!

Ya Tootoo did hit Madono and why not he was
just finishing off his check as all players
are told to from coaches at young hockey levels to nhl level.The punch to the third man
in was most likely not what TooToo expected,
as you can see the stars player was coming at
TooToo while he was just getting up,just think
if TooToo was hit in the position he was in
what do you think would have happened to him,this player is not a small guy,there is a
difference in size,ya sure TooToo is known for
his big hits and fighting,that's why everyone
is crying about this,get on with the game good
things happen and bad things happen this is a
man's game tough and rugged.
pretty much do what you have to if it's being
body checked,punched,slashed,center ice hit,
hip check,and so on this is part of the game
let the nhl deal with it not the media.It's
all over and done with TooToo served his suspension,and the injured player is back playing with the Stars and still doing his
hitting so obviously he must be fine his concusion couldn't have been that bad.One more
thing I'm sure TooToo will be more carefull
not to swing while someone is lining him up from a vonrable position
maybe he will just take the hit and see if anything will be done to who ever suckers him, as the Stars player was trying to do to
TooToo.I guess if your a tough guy you shouldn't protect yourself.

Gordon I don't understand you at all? Tootoo punched Robidas they wernt going for dinner? You must be a predators fan.

I don't think Canadian fans show any bias at all. Nashville fans wear cowboy hat and boots just like Flames fan, but sing a whole lot better. I think Canadian fans dislike the Predators just as much as the Flames.

To all those "oh Tootoo is a dirty player brigade including the writer" When Robidas was skating at full steam towards the back of Tootoo who turned and saw him at the last minute what was he supposed to do or think
"Should I accept his dinner invitation that he's coming over to give me?" or how about "Jeez no need to skate so fast at me just to congratulate me on my clean and legal hit"
Robidas was out to do Tootoo some serious damage and Tootoo got him first. Too bad, so sad, live with it or go watch Ice dancing.
Suspension is a joke.

Face it folks, everyone's reacting to the outcome of the punch, not the punch itself. It was a normal hockey altercation that went awry. Not a cheapshot, not head-hunting, not a suckerpunch. I don't know what people are watching when they see the video.

As for people claiming TooToo is a dirty player, this couldn't be further from the truth. I can only think it's from people who look at PIM and highlight shows. TooToo is a hard-nosed player who has to battle through obvious racism from Canadian players every single night. He turns it to his advantage by being tough and baiting others into taking penalties. He's smart, hard-nosed, strong as heck, and doesn't back down from guys much bigger than he is.
I've read some posts saying he turtles. Show me the tape of a time when he did because I've never witnessed it in the two seasons he's been up with the club. If he backs away from a fight, it's because he's smart and baiting the other team's guy into taking a penalty and putting the Preds on the powerplay.

I think what this whole thing has brought to the fore is how much Canadian fans and other traditional market fans in America discriminate against the new teams in the non-traditional markets. Their bias and incestous ignorance of Nashville and its fans has come to the fore in all its ugliness.

Go Predators!!

I've been a player for a long time and remember back in the day when hockey players were really tough. Back in the sixties and seventies it always an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth a your stick was a weapon. I remember many a line brawl or wacking a guy upside the head because he looked at me wrong. Today, to even consider suspending a guy for punch with a glove is mindboggleing. Most of these guys wouldn't last back in the day!!

Tootoo should play for the leafs...he is a no good hack...a two-bit bum...but he would sure look good beside Tucker.

Tootoo is a goon. The only reason he is playing is because he is a minority (I think he is a menonite or something) and we don't have one of them in the league. It is just a publicity stunt.

People need to understand that suspensions are a reflection of the person. If you are known to be a dirty player and continue to give a black eye to your respective organization (NHL, Preds, etc.), you can expect harsher penalties. Tootoo is known to be one of the dirtiest players in the NHL...Robidas and Modano are not. Take a look at Ron Artest, Dennis Rodman, Stephen Jackson, (*gasp*) Kobe Bryant, etc.

I have been an NHL hockey fan all my life. I love the game. The Jordan Tootoo hit on Modano,was after the puck was down the ice, at best borderline. He was set to sucker punch someone from the other team, that came to Modano's defense. The Gretzkys and Crosbys sell tickets and fill arena's in two countries. If the NHL wants to grow and increase it's fan base and ratings, it should send a message. Simon should have been suspended for one year. Tootoo should sit out 20 games. Both Simon and Tootoo have a reputation for over the top actions. The league has got to improve it's image.

It wasn't a "Sucker Punch" and Robidas wasn't skating over to ask Tootoo for his autograph. Tootoo heard somebody coming at him fast and at the last minute turned and lashed out. I doubt he knew who he hit until after Robidas was lying in a heap on the ice. Tootoo didn't have time or any reason to drop his gloves, so the blow was cushioned. If Robidas could take a punch they would've exchanged a few blows and the whole thing would be over. Instead we have another circus.

mike modano must have a pretty good name 4 his self, never got anythin for that stick in the back of tootoo. maybe a 3 game suspension 4 tootoo. buddy was gonna give tootoo a cheap one, but tootoo seen it before it happend thats all and prevented it! he aint gonna take no b.s from anyone! i like that guy anyway tootoo is the man and i hope you go all the way buddy! for rankin buddy!

with both players at fault, the assessment was right, but the penalty on Tootoo should have been a 5 minute for fighting (even if it was a single blow) . Suspension, maybe,but thats iffy

This incident, and the many like it, demonstrate what many said during the strike - that the people involved directly in hockey, including the media that report on it, are completley incapable of reforming the game. They will continue to beleive that they operate outside the law until the day someone is killed and the courts are forced to show them otherwise. Aggravated assault is the same in a rink as on the street no matter how much hockey tries to rationalize that it is not. Suspending someone with a history of such actions for 20 odd games is ludicrous.

CWW in Dalls

- To say that no other player has done more for hockey in the United States than Modano is ludicrous. Have you just began watching hockey? Have you heard of Mario Lemieux? Joe Sakic? Patrick Roy? Ray Bourque? Brett Hull? Joe Mullen? Marcel Dionne? Pat Lafontaine? Mark Messier did more for hockey in the United States than Modano. To say that Modano helped deliver hockey to their city in Nashville is out of this world. Did he put in a bid to purchase the team or bring it there? He couldn't afford to. He blew all his money.

- He certainly did educate the fans on what not to do with your money. Remember that year 2003 when he scored 14 goals and had 44 points? All the while going through financial trouble.
- Remember his response for getting benched against Finland in the Turino Olympics? He blasted Peter Laviolette and administrators of USA Hockey. A class act that was I guess? A cry baby.

Were you watching the same event I was ? Tootoo did check Modano and there was some minor stick swinging. Tootoo was prepared to
make a stand and fight Modano (Not much of a fight) Robidas came charging in to defend Modano. To wit: 3rd man in. Robidas was on Tootoo before he could plan a reaction. He
extended his arms to defend himself against the collision. Glass Jaw Robidas went down.
There was no pulling back of the arm or any
physical action to show an intent to punch.
The refs saw it correctly by not issuing a
game misconduct. Campbell's explanation is
weak in that he also said Tootoo was defending
himself. Tootoo is a little pit bull and will hit anytime he can, but while his actions with Modano could fall within the
bounds of a penalty, the Robidas hit was
purely self defence and not worthy of a man
losing 5 games of pay.

I think the one thing that should be mentioned is the INTENTION behind every players actions. Robidas, a small, scrappy, clean player, was clearly going in for a confrontation after a clean, non-injurious hit was delivered by Tootoo. It's unfortunate that clean hits cannot go without retaliation these days, but that's what appeared to happen here. However, in watching the replay, it is also clear that Tootoo, before even seeing who or what was coming his way, had his arm loaded for a knock-out punch. Self defense would've been a fair excuse, except that robidas' hadn't reached him yet. Tootoo was looking to fire the cheapshot, long before Robidas got there. It was like he went looking for trouble (like an overzealous gun-owner inviting trouble). Self defense is exactly that, DEFENSE. what Tootoo did was over-the-top and beyond mere "self-preservation". It was a punch thrown intended to injure, not to protect Tootoo from the same. As for his suspension (5 games), it's fair given that Robidas clearly had bad intentions of his own. Next time Tootoo sees fit to throw a cheapshot like this, however, throw him the book.

"self defense" and "normal hockey play"???
So it's typical for a player, anticipating a hit, to swing a haymaker to the face of the hiter knocking them unconcious to the ice? Yes, you should be able to protect yourself, but that was clearly not self defense, it was an agressive offensive act meant injure. One should look at the past records of the players in question as well. Modano and Robidas are classy clean players. Tootoo is Nashville's P.M. leader with a history of dirty hits and fights. Just youtube "tootoo"

this game is not chess.he was going in and should have been ready for Tootoo to protect himself. i don't think it was overly vicious, as much as he can land a good punch and in the speed and quickness of the game merely reacted instinctively. I dont like fights that much, but lets not try to cleanse the game so much that it becomes americanized for their palate, and boring. These are grown men and generally get what they give. P.S. How about that stick to Tootoo's back?

there was nothing wrong with the hit..perfectly legal. The punch should be penalized, but no suspension, perhaps a match penalty at best. However, Tootoo is noted for cheap shots and this is why the league has likely come down with the suspension.

I think what Jordan Tootoo did was just a matter of protecting himself from someone who was going to come after him. His penalty was o.k but his suspention is just crazy as far as i can see. I think if Mike Madano can't take a little hit like that and protect himself then maybe he's just a little bit of a sissy and should step down from this man's game.Jordan- good for you for keeping your head up and seeing what's coming around the corner.I think the league needs more tootoo trains and then watch the fans come to watch this Canadian game the way it should be played.

I've said it before , and I'll say it again.
It is these pests that will necessitate the
need for more goons .They run around hitting everything in sight and have no other dimension
to offer for the game. Going after Modano was
just plain stupid . In 5 years when Pittsburg
plays Nashville, maybe Tootoo will take a run
at Crosby . The pests only fuel the need for
goons to ride shotgun for their stars.

Tootoo saw the hit coming, he should've taken the hit like a man. If he wanted to fist fight Tootoo should've got Robidas to drop the gloves later on. That's the ONLY time punching should be allowed.

Also, if Tootoo is going challenge someone to fight, he should wait till their gloves are off before he wails on them.

It seems he can dish it, but he can't take it

TOOTOO-5 JUSTIFIED
MADANO-0 STATUS

NICHOL-9-JUSTIFIED
SPACHEK-0 ?
THANKS COLLIE WE UNDERSTAND

Full marks to TooToo for a good hit on Modano and Full marks to Robidas for comming to the aid of there best player. TooToo Just reacted to what would have been a comeupence for the hit on there best player. Plain and simple. TooToo is faster.

How many of the commenters here actually know anything about hockey? This suspension, and this article, are both complete garbage. SELF DEFENSE, plain and simple. 2 minute penalty for the punch to Tootoo, 5 minutes and a game for the slash from Modano, and that's it.

all "goons" who run other players into bleeding or injuries (ie. janssen-kaberle) deserve to have part of their salary given to the injured player, and the agitator should be suspended until the injured player returns (ie. if robidas never plays again, tootoo should be banned from the nhl for life. these guys end other players' careers, they deserve the same fate to their own. oh, and if the injured guy retires, part of the agitator's salary should go to the victim if he can't make a living.)

Bottom line, we want our stars protected, so if someone hits your star you take a run at him. Maybe these ECHL darlings (like tootoo) will think again next time they run a guy like Modano. Clean hit or no, who cares? these 4th liners wanna draw talent players into fights and make them get penalties to get them off the ice. Why should these big money draws (and game breakers) put up with being hit and harassed when smart teams have tough guys perfectly willing to beat the holy hell out of anyone looking to start trouble?
take out the instigator rule, and maybe Robidas doesnt take a run at tootoo...then again, maybe the whole thing is moot because tootoo doesnt dare hit a guy like modano if he knows he'll get a free facial massage on his next shift. Personally not a dallas fan (obviously) but If I have to pay 70 bucks to sit in the 'dome i want to see some magic, not jordan tootoo do his moose impression.

Want to clean up the game of hockey? A simple rule change would do the job. Force each team to play every dressed player at least 10 minutes a game. Teams would not be able to dress a player unless he could play. Any advantage gained from putting a goon on the ice would be offset by the offensive chances his presence for 10 minutes would offer the opponent.

i think these whole head blows are being blown outta apportion, yes their dirty and dangerous but half the reason players are getting head injuries is cause they dont have their helmets done up properly. If the media wouldnt talk about dangerous hits and head blows so much people wouldnt think the game of hockey wasnt so violent, if you dont want people to think abuot it QUIT TALKING ABOUT IT. Tootoo is great player, his job is to get the team and the fans going. The hit he lay on Madano was fantastic and he knew as soon he did it guys would come after him, (which is stupid everyone is fair game to be hit, unless you wear 99) Robidas wouldnt have held up. He was simply protectin himself. Yes it was dirty and uncalled for but ya gotta protect yourself, just not like that

Obviously, the attributes of a skilled player are better utilized in some other capacity than fighting. This is especially true considering that many of these incidents are the result of less talented players having to resort to illegal tactics in their attempt to compete with the Crosby’s, Gretsky’s and Lemieux’s. But does that mean they are not tough players? Absolutely not because the less talented players, coaches and even parents/fans have been hacking on these guys ever since they began playing the game.

I really love hockey when it is played without head hits and enforcers. It is a much faster, more exciting game. Players should not have to play worrying that a game could be their last, despite their skills and talent. I would like to see uneccessary roughness out of the NHL. Clean hits have a place in hockey but not going out to deliberately injure a good player, or trying to get back at someone. Let the refs do their job!

I think that the hockey commentators are being way too hard on Tootoo in this instance. I think that in the same circumstance I would have done the same thing. First of all, this was no sucker punch. It was face to face, and he saw it coming. The player Jordin punched was not coming at him to shake his hand, he was coming in to deliver an illegal check, if not something more severe. Had Tootoo not defended himself we would speculating on how long he should be laid up from the injury he would no doubt have suffered. And we'd be talking about how long the suspension should be for the other player's cheap shot. I don't think it's fair to come down hard on a player for defending himself. There are many punches thrown during skirmishes along the boards, on the corners, or in front of the nets, and they never result in more than a two minute penalty. That's all that's warranted here.

I reviewed a replay of Tootoo delivering justice to Robidas coming in to delivery a LATE, LATE hit after his clean hit on Modano.

The Tootoo hit on Modano should not be in be in question. It was delivered as the puck was leaving and within less the time it took Neil to hit Drury or Jansen to hit Kaberle, most importantly it was clean. Modano seen it coming and prepared as best he could for it.

Robidas or the league is responsible for what happen next. Robidas came in LATE to exact punishment on Tootoo for a clean hit. Its too bad Robidas got hurt; however, CHARGING is done with an intent to injure. Robidas was assessed a charging penalty. Modano, on the other hand, please note, wasn't assessed anything for his slash even if it would have been as flakey as most of the calls are this season.

If you're going to get anything right, get the facts right, especially when you can replay them again and again. Someone at TSN suggested Tootoo should have put his stick up to protect his face. I can only then imagine what the press would be saying now about Tootoo if he had used his stick to protect himself. He defended himself with honor by not using a weapon. I haven't even heard anyone, not even his teamates stick up for him. He should be credited for proving that you can bring a fist to a stick fight.

Finally, lets dress all of the Elite Untouchables in different color jerseys and assign them to another league, a sportsmen league; it will be as SAD to watch as the All-Star Game. For as long as body on body contact is in this game it will be rough; control it fairly, aggressively and properly.

Imagine if we take body contact out of hockey, football or lacrosse.

enough is enough...this is hockey men...the hit was clean...modano is old and should retire...secondly if some one is gonna come after me i am not going to cover up but try to land the punch...in this case it was a very very lucky punch...oh yeah a very lucky punch....

hockey is hockey...look at what movie their promoting "300" enough said...

Tootoo is a bum! He deserves a long suspension or a charging sucker punch to the head when he's least expecting it! It's your choice Collie. You do it or Dallas does it! Thanks for the Simon suspension. As a Ranger fan I know Tom Renny is incapable of retaliation.

What happened at the game on Saturday night is exactly what should've happened. You always hate to see a player carted off on a stretcher regardless of what team you're rooting for, but it was obvious that Robidas was skating full speed toward TooToo with the intent of boarding him or possibly worse. The hit on Modano was a textbook hit and was absolutely legal. When he saw Robidas screaming toward him, TooToo threw up his glove and popped him in the mouth. I would've done the exact same thing. All of you sissies who keep posting comments about how TooToo is embarrasing the NHL need to pick a different sport to watch. Maybe figure skating?

What Tootoo did was wrong plain and sinple and the slash by Modano while wrong was no where near the foul committed by Tootoo. That's not what bothers me most about what happened that night. The Nashville PR, coahces, staff, players, and fans all showed a complete lack of class in not recognizing Modano's mile-stone achievement, without which Nashville would only be know for its music and not its President's trophy competitive team. Next to Wayne Gretzky, no other player has done more for hockey in the south and for the hockey in the United States. Nashville receeves a large stipend in revenue sharing from the other teams in the league and they have a responsibility to promote the game and its most prolific players. I am willing to forgive the fans for not knowing of the mile-stone and not applauding that effort, but the Nashvile Hockey club, its owners and affiliates, own an appology to the NHL and Mike Modano for treating him as a second class citizen in the game he helped deliver to their fair city.

this goes to show the new nhl is causing more injuries and less entertaining hockey. i thought tootoo's hit was hard and clean on modano. the third man in should have got more than a punch to the face. next time he will think twice about it. modano should have got a slashing penalty. tootoo should not get any more than one game if that. still glad to see there are some players that dont stand for crap like this. could you imagine what would of happend if tootoo didn't see him coming ????????

Blame these problems on the Gretsky and Lemieux Crosby syndrome If the stars had some jam they would stand up for themselves.If someone nails Sydney why can't Sydney wait for his opportunity and return the favor. I'm sure the big guys will still hit him but the cheap shots by fringe players his size will stop when he nails them. Pavel Bure did it a few times and got his own skating room.If you hit him you knew he was coming after you but you did not know when.
I don't mind a good scrap but why is that the only way to stop the other guys from running your stars. What happened to a retaliatory body check delivered by the team big guy,instead of skating over to the other team tough guy and asking if he wants to fight. Paste him to the boards with a thunderous check and if he comes up swinging then duke it out.The stars don't need to fight but they need to stand up for thenselves sometimes.The biggest star of all time never had a bodyguard and Gordie Howe played into his fifties.

I'm reading a lot of "what ifs" on this topic. Does it really matter what didn't happen? Admittedly, I only saw the punch in replay but it looked to me as though Tootoo saw him coming and made a choice to punch instead of bring his own arms up or even try to move. His own comments in the paper support that he saw the Stars player coming. Unless your sport is boxing, you shouldn't be expected to always be ready for a punch in the face. Tootoo's afterthought apology - "I hope he's OK." was just plain offensive. That the Predators' coaches and commentators tried to justify his Tootoo's actions are understandable, but sad. They did the same thing with Scott Nichol's sucker punch on Buffalo's Spacek earlier this year. It's fine to take care of your house behind closed doors, but the Preds organization should be professional enough to say Tootoo was dead wrong and they are dealing with it internally. Scott Nichol, to his credit, did just that, saying he was wrong and would accept any punishment the league saw fit to impose. The Tootoo sucker punch was something right out of the movie Slap Shot. It's funny until you stop for a moment and realize it isn't a movie. I'm a Preds fan, but I'm first a hockey fan. This is NOT part of the game. Tootoo should be fined heavily, suspended for the rest of the season and playoffs, and possibly face criminal charges.

Everyone is losing focus here. Tootoo's hit was clean, Modano wasn't hurt, Robidas tried to play the roll of hero and got dropped. Tootoo was lucky enough to see Robidas charging at him as he got up and protected himself, simple self deffence. If your going to charge at someone the way Robidas did with Tootoo, you had better be ready for the other player to react.

Both in Brandon and Winnipeg Jordan liked to shoot off his mouth about being a tough guy. Even in a bar staggering he has been seen trying to project this image. Well I guess that tough guys throw sucker punches, unless you ask Bore Salming,Bobby Schultz, or Tiger Williams, even Domi.Looks like this TooToo train has lost most of it's steam.

All that crap about Modano swinging his stick is a red herring. Sure he swung his stick with one hand and hits hit on him pads with the mid part of the stick which has less torque and not even his great force at that. Yeah its dumb but it was nothing. Yeah he probably should have gotten a penalty but thats about it.

The real issue is an out of control Tootoo. There is no excuse for a guy clocking someone like that during play. There weren't gloves dropped and it wasn't guys facing off. It was just damned stupid. He wasn't protecting himself.

scott it seems you chose to ignore the stick swing my modano and all who play hockey (myself included ) knows robidas was not approaching tootoo to speak his displeasure..tootoo was quick to react yes, but the hit was a good one, and if tootoo didn't protect himself he would of been creamed with a vicous charge. tootoo is not a ryan holwig. gimme a break and watch a few more of the games south of the border and you'll see the difference between the 2.

I believe what the other people are saying: That Jordin was only protecting himself from injury as would any other player from the N.H.L. wouldn't you? remember in the past, what had happened to that hockey player from the Colorado Avalanche when he got hit by Todd Bertuzzi...Jordin is a great hockey player as i've watched him play when he was still a Jr. playing with the Brandon Wheat Kings. Jordin does what his team mates expect of him. I know that Jordin would never intentionally hurt another person let alone seriously hurt another player...so too those of u that cant stand a little tap or the pressure then maybe this isn't the sport for you!...keep up the good work Jordin! we're all proud of your accomplishments that you.ve made so far...

I think many of you are a little twisted with the reality of the situation. First of all, Tootoo said he knew someone was going to come at him after the hit on Modano, so he should have been ready to stand and fight. Some people say the Robidas was bearing down on him and would have certainly cross checked him or hurt him. However, Robidas is not a dirty player, he was going to engage Tootoo perhaps checking him first and then certainly fight. But the Cheap shot ended that.
As far as the Modano getting a suspension for the stick hitting Tootoo on the back is stupid to say the least. Modano is not a cheap player, he had one hand on his stick and he let up on the swing. Turning around against the boards with your stick caused the stick to travel in the direction that it did. Tootoo should get a 7-8 games for his actions. The fans in Trashville should get a few game suspension as well for booing and American Icon reaching a milestone with Modanos 503rd goal. Great job Mike!

now don't bust me just because i'm from Nashville, but i have a legit question... what about Modano taking a "nice, friendly" swing at the back of TooToo...the only difference between what Modano did Saturday night and what Simon did earlier was the fact that Modano hit Jordin in the back... i don't neccesarily agree or disagree wether TooToo deserves a suspension for his actions, however, if Jordin gets a few games off Modano sure as heck better for a blatent intent to injure...but as we all well know, Hockey is no different than any other sport.. the name on the back of the jersey can make or break you....

Why is it that when a player dishes out a great hit he becomes so defensive? Yes, hitting a star player like Modano will indeed draw some interest but don't act so irrational and put some thought and responsibility into your play. Come on fellas, drop tyour gloves if your gonna go!!!!!!

Not to condone what The Too-Too train did, but what was he to do with Robidas charging him? A punch to the face was a little much. I'm interested to see what comments come back regarding that.

When someone is skating full stride straight at you and you are standing still, how should you react? With less than a second to react of course, and immediately after you just knocked their star player to the ice.

1. Should you put your stick up - risk a sticking infraction surely to lead to a suspension?
2. Should you duck, sending the player flying head first in to the boards - surely a suspension?
3. Does he put up his hand as a stop sign and stop Robidas to discuss the situation as mature adults?
4. Or does he stiff arm him with a sucker punch? (he will get suspended and rightfully so)

How does a player defend himself?

All of your comments hit the spot and hit it hard! There is hockey, hard hitting and rough playing all to grab a little black puck. I love hockey, and I love the Stars. Win or Loss I thought last night's game was until that very unnecessary hit. First off, the hit to Modano was, as you said, borderline. To say that THAT hit to Robidas' face was "normal hockey play" is absurd, and for the coach to say that makes it all too clear as to why his players act the way they do! Modano knew he was going to be hit, he braced himself for the hit, but Robidas was, in my opinion, not expecting his chin to be met by Tootoo's fist with such hatred and force. To top it all off, I have never seen such disrespect and immaturity to continue to try to have a knock down drag out brawl with another player while the one you just SUCKER punched like you were in a back alley laid there UNCONSCIOUS on the ice!!! How he is able to sleep at night and live with himself after such childish acts is beyond me. Robidas' injuries could have been SO much worse than a concussion. He could have been facing a life in a wheel chair or even worse...then what? What kind of punishment is there for that? I don't care who plays for who or who wins or looses, but there is NOT ONE REASON for the kind of irresponsible actions Tootoo displayed during that game. If anyone, including himself, condones this sort of play, they don't belong in the NHL! This is exactly why people think that hockey is fighting and that is it! There are so many talented people in the NHL and beyond that have never gotten in a fight nor felt the need to, so why does one child (and I feel able to say that, I am only 1 yr older than Tootoo) get to give an entire league a bad name? I say that if there is a hit like that, not at all HOCKEY like, the player should be out that same amount of games the injured player is out as well as cover their medical expenses! Maybe that would detour some of this behavior around the league! Just my opinion:)

What about how Modano swings his stick and hits Tootoo on the back after Tootoo protects himself from the wildly charging Robidas...Modano seems to let up a little but he still swings and hits Tootoo...Tootoo even swings his stick back at Modano, granted not with any mustard...but at that point Tootoo seemed to have decided that he was going to go with Modano for hitting him with his stick...

So what Tootoo's supposed to put his hands up and block Robidas like Bob Mackenzie suggests or get out of the way?..."we don't know what Robidas would have done when he got there?"[Mackenzie says] Bull, Robidas was going to rip his head off and instead, he got knocked out...good work Tootoo! You were the one about to be suckered and you protected yourself!

What's with all the hockey black eye stuff anyways...who's everyone trying to fool about hockey anyways(and why?), oh yeah, I forgot...hockey is a business and less blood means more money...and 15 - 20 extra teams...and the diluted talent pool...bring on the black eyes, I'm sick of all of these new "fans" that are supposed to be watching!

Your article was a real eye opener to me. I am a hockey fan (Go Preds) and i think some people underestimate some of the sly moves that go on in the League. Of course there is going to be a big fuss over a big hit over the top players. Hopefully Tootoo only gets a few suspended games, if nothing....
Great article, i hope to read more of your words.

What about the hit Modano gave Tootoo after they play with his stick? He should have been called for slashing. I think the NHL should also look into that. And what if Tootoo hadn't turned around? Would Robidas not hit him from behind? I see it as a play where Tootoo made a clean hit on Modano and turned around and defended himself. Watch the tape again. If Tootoo hadn't hit him, Robidas would have ran him over at the speed he was traveling. Modano should be suspended for at least 3 or 4 games for using his stick as a weapon.