‘The code’ puts an end to matters
Fight left a player injured but it also meant dispute didn’t carry over to Saddledome
For a fourth-consecutive day, Erik Gudbranson was asked about the hit, the fight and the code.
The Vancouver Canucks defenceman not only sounded like a spokesman for the code of conduct when he willingly broached the subject Saturday — and how respect has led to a decrease in fighting — he’s not sure where the game would be if players didn’t police themselves.
Gudbranson’s shoulder-to-shoulder hit on Calgary Flames rookie forward Dillon Dube on Wednesday in the opening minutes of the season opener had a trickle-down effect. Gudbranson received an interference penalty for his heavy neutral-zone collision on the unsuspecting Dube. Minutes later, Gudbranson had to answer the fight challenge of Travis Hamonic.
Gudbranson landed a telling blow that left Hamonic with a facial fracture and a week-to-week prognosis for return. The injury was an unfortunate culmination of the sequence because nobody came looking for retribution Saturday at the Saddledome. Not even hulking defenceman Dalton Prout, who talked about playing the game and not being a “pawn” or “puppet” for fans seeking further retribution.
The code allowed that game to be played.
“Without it, sometimes nasty things happen whether on purpose or not,” said Gudbranson.
“The code keeps that level of respect among us and it’s very important. It’s good that fighting is leaving the game and becoming safer, but it’s nothing you can get rid of in the NHL.”
The last thing Gudbranson wanted to do Wednesday was fight. He has had shoulder and wrist surgeries the past two seasons and can’t have somebody tugging on his repaired shoulder and jamming his wrist, or worse, in a bout.
The manner in which Gudbranson took ownership of the hit — even though the Canucks want their defencemen up in the play to break up offensive forays — said a lot about where the game hopes to go.
“I wanted to get my gap on him and prevent him from getting past me, but my timing was off,” reasoned Gudbranson. “It was a bad hit and my timing was way off. If the puck touches his stick and that same collision happens — it’s a really good hit.
“The puck was nowhere near him. Early on in the season, the adrenalin is going a bit and it’s not one I’m proud of. And when something like that happens, there’s a good chance in this league that you’re going to have to answer for it.”
Nobody has a problem with that. They have a problem with Tom Wilson and the few who give the game a black eye.
Wilson’s targeted head hit on St. Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist on Sept. 30 led to a 20-game suspension for the Washington Capitals’ repeat offender. It’s more of an anomaly in today’s game because youth, speed and skill have become selling points.
As long as there is respect, Dube shouldn’t have to worry about being in a vulnerable position or worry that nobody will give him the confidence to play a skilled game that got him to this level.
“I feel like hockey could be the ugliest if we didn’t have a code,” said the 20-year-old Dube. “When you’re going that fast and guys are looking different ways, you have to respect each other and there’s a line. Gudbranson hit me and he apologized.
“But I could have got there quicker. I had my back to him and that’s the kind of player he is — he’s going to take that hit. You can expect that every time. I was just a little bit dazed stepping out there and I knew I had to get to a spot and I just didn’t get there. I blame myself.
“I was looking to tip the puck in and get in on the forecheck. I know I didn’t touch it, but that’s my fault. The hit was fine. He’s just way bigger than me. Maybe he got me a little higher because I’m 5-foot-11 but his arm and shoulder were down.”
As for Hamonic’s role in the retribution, there was a consensus that he did the right thing. He challenged Gudbranson to the fight because he didn’t like the hit. And he didn’t want anybody thinking that a kid playing his first NHL regular-season game wasn’t going to be protected. That’s the code.
“It’s still a big part of the game,” said Flames goalie Mike Smith. “This early in the season, there are a lot of new kids in the league and guys feed off that (Hamonic challenge). It should help establish an atmosphere and having each others’ backs.
“There are not as many enforcers out there and sometimes I feel we’re going the wrong way with that because guys are getting away with stuff. The league has done a good job with (supplementary) discipline now and dangerous hits that a can put an end to a career.”