Quotes from the Gutless Fish Market

Link: Buffalo News - Connolly injury taints win for Sabres.

Link: Buffalo Sabres.

Last night's game vs. the Rags was a fine response to the non-showing the boys put up in Calgary.  But, overshadowing a solid outplaying of every Ranger not named Lundqvist was the hit that the Kaspar-fish sidelined Tim Connolly with.  I didn't see the game or the hit myself so I can't really pass judgment on it.  I will say though, that there are plenty of 'clean' or 'legal' hits that are obvious intents to injure.  Scott Stevens made a career of dishing those out.  Nothing will happen to Kaspar, nothing ever does.. but I'll say this the boys sure had their Quote on after the game:

"... and I was upset at the way he responded.  When challenged, he flopped around the ice like a half-dead fish."  -- Lindy Ruff

"When I see a 240-lb guy diving around like a Squirt after taking one of our guy's knees out... "  -- Chris Drury

"For every four good hits he dishes out, he gives three of those cheap shots.  It was pretty obvious that he was going for the knees and not a hip-check."  J.P. Dumont

Personally, I've never liked anything about Kasparaitis.  Not his hitting, offense, defense or attitude.  He's not one of those guys that you hate when he plays for the opposition but love when he's on your team... guys like him are just worthless.  Add him to the list with Peca, Tucker, Hatcher, Marchment and Brashear.  I've got no patience for guys that target knees or heads.  Period.

The above quotes are good but Mike Grier sums it up in a word... "gutless." 

"He's a heartless, gutless player," Grier said. "He has no respect for anyone else in the league. He cheap-shots guys and then won't stand up for himself. He tells me he wants to fight and then skates away and takes a dive when I barely even touch him.

"Probably the dirtiest player in the league. No one likes him. We got a game against these guys again (March 27), we'll see what happens. It's disgusting what he did to Timmy. He hurts guys with no shame. It doesn't faze him one bit. He could have hit him just as easily with his shoulder as he did with his hip."

Kaspar saw an opportunity to weaken an opponent fighting for the same playoff spot and he took it.  We all know he did, that's been his game for 10+ years in this league.  It's because of him that I love the new rule about defensemen getting a delay of game for shooting the puck over the glass.  Mario's miracle goal would have never happened had he not flung the puck into the stands to stop the clock before that.  It was an obvious delay of game tactic and should have been penalized.  The years of knocking the net off, icing, and putting the puck out of play instead of playing defense are over.  Maybe that's why he still feels the need to target the knees of the opposition's best players.  Yes, there, I said it.  Connolly had become the best player for us, night in, night out and he's gone until after the break because some sociopath enjoys hurting people.

First the non-goal in Calgary and now this.  I said the other day they would have to dig down deep to see what they were made of... well, I guess it's begun.

Ta,

Comments

[KJB]

I have nothing to add, except that I think this is your best post yet. Well done.

Oh, and I saw the hit -- it was a clean hit, but IMO the intent was very dirty.

[Alan]

Sorry that your guy got hurt; that sucks. But if that check was any cleaner you could have performed surgery on it. Yeah, I'm a Rangers fan, but you should have a look at it before you pass judgment.

[Tom L]

Alan,

I never said the hit was either clean or dirty. It doesn't matter. The truuth is that Karparaitis is a scumbag who will put himself in a position to injure someone cleanly or not, legally or not. Moreover, when asked to stand up and take account of his actions he runs and hides like the little bitch that he is. The only thing I pass judgement on is Kaspar himself... and I did so years ago. Nothing about him or the way he 'plays' the game has changed.

That was the point of the post, not the cleanliness or dirtiness of the hit. To me he has no remorse or shame in his soul. I don't believe in winning at any cost, I believe you win and lose with dignity and respect for your opponent.

When has he ever shown that he respects those he plays against?

Thanks for chiming in I understand where you are coming from. But, I think you missed my original point is all.

If Timmy hadn't gotten hurt on the play I would be just as mad, because it is the intent that matters, not the result. Why you do things is more important, ultimately, than what happens? Failing to injure someone when that was your intention doesn't make the attempt any less heinous.

Does that clarify things?

Ta,

[Alan]

Understood. I suppose I felt the same way about him before he put on Ranger blue; funny how one's perspective can change. I would disagree with you about him being worthless though; he's done a good job and comes to play every night; and we don't have many guys who hit.

And I am really sorry that Connolly got hurt.

[Tom L]

Alan,

Good Deal. IT is hard to remain objective when the guy plays for the team you love... Varada (and to a lesser extent Peca) played that way when they wore the AGH and it was hard for me to accept it then.... in hindsight I can see it more clearly.

And I only meant that Kaspar was worthless in the sense of his humanity not his hockey. He's a fine defensemen that I would never want to cheer for.

Ta,