Wisconsin D Eddie Wittchow suspended for Michigan series
In the waning moments of a 5-2 loss in Minneapolis, Wisconsin JR defenseman Eddie Wittchow (2011 Florida Panthers 6th round pick) was assessed a major penalty and game disqualification for a hit to Minnesota forward Leon Bristedt's head. The Big Ten announced today that in addition to the mandatory one game suspension a game disqualification carries, Wittchow will be suspended an additional game. In other words, he won't be able to suit up against Michigan at all this weekend. Bristedt was not injured on the play.
Wittchow is one of Wisconsin's most experienced defenseman and his absence will most likely be felt against a Michigan offense that now ranks number one nationally in goals per game.
http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/wisconsin-badgers-mens-hockey/2015/1/19…
http://host.madison.com/sports/blog/badgers-men-s-hockey-big-ten-punish…
January 19th, 2015 at 11:47 PM ^
The major was mandatory and the game disqualification was the right call to make (over the less severe game misconduct). Wittchow sold out to make the hit, which should be clear if you watch him lose control of his body after hitting Bristedt. On top of that he put his arms up and this was late into an already decided game, making an attempt to injure intrepretation much more believable, which is one of the given reasons for an additional game suspension. He got what he deserved, IMO.
For anyone curious, here's the whole NCAA rule and interpretation.
Rule 45 - Contact to the Head 45.1 Contact to the Head - A player shall not make direct contact from any direction with an opposing player’s head or neck area in any manner (including, but not limited to, with the shoulder, stick, elbow, etc.).
PENALTY—Major and game misconduct or disqualification at the discretion of the referee. The committee reminds coaches and players that the responsibility remains with the player making the hit to avoid contact with the head and neck area of an opposing player. Any contact directly with the player’s head and neck area must be penalized with a major penalty and a game misconduct or disqualification. A player delivering a check to an unsuspecting and vulnerable player puts themselves in jeopardy of being penalized under this rule. Officials are to pay particular attention to these examples when applying this rule. These are intended as guidance and include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Direct contact with the head or neck in any manner from any direction;
- A player that is reckless;
- A player that has just released a shot or pass;
- A player that is about to receive a pass;
- A player that delivers a late hit;
- A player that extends and directs the arm, elbow, forearm or shoulder to contact the head and neck area of the opponent;
- A player that extends the body and targets the opponent’s head or neck area;
- A player that leaves their skates or launches in order to deliver a blow to the head or neck area of the opposing player; and
- A player that uses the stick in any way to target the head or neck area (e.g., cross checking, butt-ending, etc.).
January 20th, 2015 at 10:15 AM ^
The part about "just releasing a pass" is particularly applicable here (as well as the obvious head shot). Tough for a player to gauge when to stop a hit when his opponent is setting up a pass (or a deke). In tyhe end if the rules are called closely, we'll see fewer and fewer big hits as checkers will need to stop "selling out" and start assessing exactly where the puck is. Less exciting, but a hell of a lot safer.
January 20th, 2015 at 1:16 PM ^
Wittchow extending his arms upwards was a much bigger deal IMO. If he had lowered his shoulder into Bristedt's chest as he released the puck he would (probably) have laid him out and not drawn a penalty.
He probably would have still been tackled by a flying gopher after the whistle but that's another story.
January 19th, 2015 at 11:54 PM ^
It was a dirty hit and a good call by the conference. I really don't know why anyone would headhunt in an era of increased scrutiny and concussion research. He could have rocked him worse with a legal hit if he had executed it right.
January 20th, 2015 at 12:12 AM ^
Must win series becomes must winnier. Dirty hit, good call by the league.
January 20th, 2015 at 7:15 AM ^
January 20th, 2015 at 12:47 AM ^
is a big series now. Michigan was up to #13 or #14 after Friday. Moved back down to #17 after Saturday. Road wins mean more and they have plenty to get over the next few weeks.
Wisc. is playing better and won't be easy. They have beat Michigan Tech, tied BU and Minn. over the past couple weeks. (they lost to BU and Minny as well). Earlier in the year they looked to be really bad at hockey.
January 20th, 2015 at 1:20 AM ^
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January 20th, 2015 at 6:00 AM ^
Agreed. Wisconsin is starting to find their way a bit. We need a sweep, but my gut says we'll split
January 20th, 2015 at 8:03 AM ^
January 20th, 2015 at 12:49 AM ^
It's hard for me to accept because I love the Scott Stevens players but don't like hits to the head.
I think the league shares my struggle. They need to keep fighting and hard hits but need to eliminate head shots. However, that's impossible.
January 20th, 2015 at 8:14 AM ^
that only missed doing career-ending or career-threatening injury b/c the blow was somewhat glancing due to the minny guy seeing it at the last micro-second. that is the exact shot that has to be penalized or you permanently injure these young men. and he's (mr. wiscy cheap shot) glad that was a saturday night game, b/c back in the day we would've lit him up at yost the next night. just a hairlash away from a claude lemieux beatdown at the hands of probey.
January 20th, 2015 at 10:09 AM ^
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January 21st, 2015 at 10:05 AM ^
for the correction.
January 21st, 2015 at 7:51 PM ^
I do miss the days of the Bruise Brothers - Probey and Joey Kocur were always entertaining.
January 20th, 2015 at 10:08 AM ^
and his head was right at about shoulder level for the checker. Still a dirty, dangerous, and unnecessary hit, but he didn't exactly have to go out of his way to hit him in the head. Vladdy made this sort of open ice hit pretty regularly and at worst it would have been 2 minutes. Redmond would have loved it. Times have changed.