Kampfer Should Be Fine (Update) Comment Count

Brian

The grammar in this Daily article is a little confusing but it does state that Kampfer has been released from the hospital and that the trip there was more out of caution than any immediate threat to his health:

Michigan sophomore defenseman Chad Langlais and freshman forward David Wohlberg helped carry Kampfer off the ice. About a half hour after the game, Kampfer was carried out of the locker room on a stretcher and still wearing his game jersey.

Michigan officials said that Kampfer was released Sunday from the hospital and he was taken to the hospital as a precaution.

So there's that, at least. He should be fine.

Update: Kampfer speaks:

“I have a strained neck right now,” Kampfer said in a phone interview with the Free Press on Sunday. “I had no relapse of what happened earlier. Hopefully, I’ll be back this weekend.”

Kampfer said he didn’t know if Tropp intentionally tried to hit him in the neck.

“It’s not like people didn’t know I had that injury,” Kampfer said. “If that was his true intention, that’s uncalled for. I don’t know what (Tropp) was thinking at the time. Obviously, I’m disappointed.”

I'm really amazed at the level of restraint Michigan's shown here: Kampfer's decision to go with "disappointed" as his emotion of choice, no mention of the incident at all in their game recap, and Red's statement that he "didn't see the incident," which yeah right. Meanwhile, MSU's official site attempts to blame Chris Summers' goal for the incident:

The game got increasingly physical and feisty as the time wore down, and it helped lead to a Michigan goal at 8:32. After Aaron Palushaj slid into Palmisano from behind and took the goalie out of the play, Chris Summers had a wide-open net into which he deposited his fourth goal of the season. The play was reviewed, but the officials allowed the goal to stand and MSU went back to work to fight back from the two-goal deficit. That did nothing but increase the level of physicality, leading to penalties in the final minutes and a pair of game disqualifications for MSU's Corey Tropp.

That's why you're Michigan State.

Also, I believe this was in the immediate aftermath of the game, before Comley had an opportunity to see the full extent of what happened (link ibid):

Michigan State coach Rick Comley said after the game that Tropp would miss two games and Conboy “will probably stay home” next weekend when the Spartans visit Lake Superior State.

If that's the full extent of the suspensions handed out by MSU, Rick Comley will be a punchline for the rest of his life.

Comments

JeremyB

January 25th, 2009 at 10:00 PM ^

Palmisano was back on his feet and square to the puck for that goal.

Also, from the State News:
"This type of thing is absolutely unacceptable. The CCHA has to come down with some sort of fine or punishment on U-M for not having proper security outside of the opposing team’s locker room... Instead of being the victims in this incident, U-M fans became part of the problem and committed some big-time sins of their own."

http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/01/msu_u-m_behaviour_ba…

ShockFX

January 25th, 2009 at 10:03 PM ^

It was Kampfer's father. And that whole article is bullshit.

"With the game all but over, U-M’s Steve Kampfer took a run at MSU sophomore forward Corey Tropp at center ice.

In an attempt to stick up for his teammate, MSU freshman Andrew Conboy went after Kampfer to try and teach him a lesson."

Are...you...fucking...kidding...me?

ShockFX

January 25th, 2009 at 10:15 PM ^

"After a sip of my good black tea, I was horrified to notice that I had failed to leave my pinky in the air. A terrible faux pas that shall not be repeated."

Comley, if he had any, any sense of honor, would have immediately suspended both players until Kampfer could play again. Then, on top of that, he should suspend them for games depending on the speed of Kampfer's return. Kampfer's return or 10 games, whichever is longer.

Yinka Double Dare

January 25th, 2009 at 10:04 PM ^

Ah yes, our fans are part of the problem because they chanted "F*** You State" after State players took a cheap shot at a UM player and then hit him while he was down, and because a parent tried to get into the State locker room to give them a piece of his mind. UM's just as bad as State then!

You just keep telling yourselves that, State fans. Just makes you look even more pathetic than you already did. Defending what those two clowns did is simply not possible.

SpartanDan

January 26th, 2009 at 2:26 AM ^

Trying to draw some sort of equivalency there is insane. Yes, profane cheers are generally bad (although you'd think a State News writer would at least be aware of the 2x4 sticking out of our football fans' eyes when pointing gleefully at the speck in your hockey fans' eyes). Yes, it should be a bit more difficult than it apparently was for fans to get into the visiting locker room. But neither is anywhere near the level of Tropp's actions, and trying to say those make it even is totally indefensible.

Tim

January 25th, 2009 at 10:21 PM ^

Don't you worry about the State News. When Corey Tropp is chilling out in jail, they'll realize (else face ridicule by anyone who's ever held a newspaper) how ridiculous their original stance was.

Musket Rebellion

January 25th, 2009 at 10:21 PM ^

At this point we shouldn't pay any attention to the MSU reaction as it can't possibly be looked at through a clearly tinted lens. Let's just hope for swift and timely action from the CCHA, or NCAA whomever makes those types of decisions.

More importantly it is good to see that Kampfer should be okay. He's had quite the tumultuous year and it will be great for him and his family if he can come back this weekend.

MichiganStudent

January 25th, 2009 at 10:43 PM ^

Guys guys guys lets all chill out. I am a hockey player that is not playing D-1 anymore due to injury, a huge Michigan fan, and son to a former Michigan captain and coach. Yes the display of unsportsmanship and disregard for personal safety that Conboy and Tropp displayed was a disgrace, but it does not warrant a life ban or season suspension like some of you are calling for. Both of those players did something terrible last night, and emotions got out of control. Believe me when I say I wish I was out there to kick the living shit out of each of them (which should have happened....I would have loved to see each of them bloodied up and sent to the hospital with broken noses *in a fair squared off fight) but that didn't happen. The State players totally screwed up, but to me, a 2 to 4 game suspension is sufficient. It wasn't a Bertuzzi level cheap shot, and the slash to the head wasn't of Brashear levels. Lets get over this. State is inferior to us in every level and every way, this is a fact. Lets just get the incident over with, they can enjoy the suspensions and last place, while we can hold our heads high and know we are a classy team, fanbase, and university.

Go blue!

Edit: Yes I know about Mr. Kampfer. While I would have been just as angry as him and probably would have run into the State locker room with him, after all is said and done, all of us know that was a wrong course of action. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and i'll apologize to the MSU fan base and hockey team and say that was a mistake on our part. I love our rivalry and have no disrespect towards you in anyway. Any sane MSU fan knows what happened was a disgrace and if it was the teams were switched I hope we all would feel the same way. It has no place in my favorite sport. Go Blue and Go......eh......... State. We both are great places when all is said and done. You all know which place I think is superior, but if nothing else, I hope this adds to the rivalry.

Lofter4

January 25th, 2009 at 10:50 PM ^

2-4 game suspensions are for cheap elbows being thrown during a check or for the dreaded knee to knee intentional hit.

This was a different level, and if it happened in the NHL it would be all over SportsCenter with demands of a double digit suspension, at least.

MichiganStudent

January 25th, 2009 at 10:57 PM ^

Ya know I cannot disagree with you. Kampfer being in good health is a positive for this entire situation. It is good for M hockey, its cooled all of us out (the fan base), and calms the entire situation. Whatever the suspension is, I'll support it. I can see both sides, but in the end, this type of thing is bad for hockey. Its not fighting, that is face to face and respectable. This was a total cheap shot. it may not be an attempt to injure, but it did injure a player that has had previous neck and head injuries this year.

I just hope there is a respectable ending to this situation

PA Blue

January 25th, 2009 at 11:01 PM ^

"...it may not be an attempt to injure..."

Are you serious? What part of slashing an prone, immobile player's head/neck was anything OTHER than an attempt to injure? Please... explain it to me.

MichiganStudent

January 25th, 2009 at 11:08 PM ^

I know I know. All i'm saying is that things happen quickly and I don't think he truly meant to hurt Kampfer in a way beyond a "bruise" or "sting" or....fuck it i'm sick of defending what he may have been thinking. Idk why I'm saying this because I think Tropp is a piece of shit, but i've been in situations where I've been so pissed off that i've committed an act and didn't mean to hurt anyone in a way that I did. I just hope Tropp isn't as big a piece of shit that I'm sure he is.

AHH this makes me want to kill him, but I'm really just trying to stay composed. If anything (while Kampfer reportedly being okay) I hope this enhances the rivalry.

ShockFX

January 25th, 2009 at 11:00 PM ^

2-4 games or until Kampfer is able to play again, whichever is longer.

Well, Conboy should be banned because he is a low talent thug that won't play past this level. Tropp, on the other hand, I'm not sure what his penalty should be. At least 4 games, mistakes do happen, but, damn, slashing a player on the ice?

mstier

January 25th, 2009 at 11:20 PM ^

I would respectfully disagree with your suggested leniency. You have played hockey at a much higher level than me, but I think any hockey fan can differentiate a tough physical battle from violent outbursts like we witnessed here. Unfortunately, hockey leagues in general have looked passed these, or scooted them under the rug with mild suspensions. I don't know why, probably because they're afraid that it might alienate part of an already small hockey market.

But should we not protect our players so that we can attract bigger crowds? I think that's the wrong stance to take. I think the Bertuzzi/Moore incident really highlights the problem: Bertuzzi sucker punches Moore ending his career, but Bertuzzi after sitting out a whole 20 games can come back and play. I understand that commissioners are probably scared to indefinitely suspend a player (possibly ending his career), especially if the victim is only out for a short period of time. But why take this chance? Hockey leagues needs to make an example out of some of these guys and indefinitely suspend them.

Given your hockey passion, I'm sure you can appreciate a more finesse style of play. A style built on speed, agility, and vision. I'm sure you also note the physical nature of hockey, and how using one's body can create turnovers, open up space on the ice, and allow one to maintain puck control. But I'm also hope you can agree that hockey should not be sanctioned violence, and that retaliation with the intent to injure has no place in the game.

I think this is where the outcry comes from. What Conboy and Tropp did was a violent outburst with the intent to injure. The consequences of this for Kampfer could have been drastic, even career ending. For this they should be punished severely. They need to take a hard stance so that other players don't start seeing how far over the line they can go. A suspension for the remainder of the season seems like the very least that should happen.

If I did this to you on the street, it would be criminal. A sheet of ice shouldn't change that.

W0lv3r1n3

January 25th, 2009 at 11:00 PM ^

I'm in tears from laughing so hard at some of the comments on the State News article. Absolute gold. If one of you is "Gingervitis Awareness" that last post was cruel but by god was it hilarious.

Geaux_Blue

January 25th, 2009 at 11:16 PM ^

Google "Corey Tropp"

One of the first hits is a commentary on his facebook.
http://goosesroost.blogspot.com/2007/06/draft-profile-corey-troop.html

Nuggets of joy include:

"I play hockey, I'm easy to get along with, and I like having a good time."- Corey Tropp's "About Me"

and this picture:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RZ2IbjzYZRg/RoNu9i4_gWI/AAAAAAAAAAs/2eh08sv-c…

Yes, that is Tropp with his stick on a kid face-first on the ground.
The man-boy is a creature of habit

SpartanDan

January 26th, 2009 at 3:06 AM ^

That can't possibly be right. If Tropp was given a double DQ, the second one carries an automatic two-game suspension by itself for a total of three games (assuming there were no earlier DQs). I hope what Comley meant is that Tropp definitely won't be there next weekend but further penalties have yet to be decided. Even three games is way too light for Tropp (although probably appropriate for Conboy, unless his hit was significantly worse than it looked on the video angles I saw).

DoctorWorm

January 26th, 2009 at 9:47 AM ^

It's just a good thing that Michigan players never let their emotions get out of hand. They would never do anything like cheap shot another player, or fight their own coach on the sidelines during the Ohio State game, or anything like that. It's also a good thing no one attempted to assault Comley in the locker room, or calling out these players would be embarrassingly hypocritical.

V-Link

January 26th, 2009 at 1:07 PM ^

Most importantly, it's great to hear that Kampfer is ok.

I hope that any suspension isn't discounted because of SK being ok. Often times, punishments seem to be affected by the outcome of the play, even if the play is not that dirty but a player is injured. (ie, a pass rusher not being able to put on the brakes after a QB releases the pass.) I hope the opposite doesn't happen here because this wasn't an iffy cheap shot. There are no excuses for a play like that especially on Tropp's part.

bronxblue

January 26th, 2009 at 1:32 PM ^

Good to hear Kampfer will be fine. I only saw the clips on youtube, but the slash looked REALLY bad. While I'm all for punishing the offenders, I do agree with other posters that everyone needs to cool down a bit before banishing both of the MSU kids to a life without hockey. Of the two, Tropp should be punished more harshly for this particular offense, but I suspect Conboy won't be seeing the ice anytime soon either.