I‘m not one to get too fired up over comments by NHL analysts and broadcasters. Caps fans have made their dislike for NBC’s Mike Milbury known for a while now. To me, he’s just doing schtick most of the time because he likes to push buttons and he’s…well, he’s Mike Milbury. I’m not entirely sure his own family likes him. He’s an acerbic guy with a strong personality and over-the-top opinions. That’s also part of his job. If NBC didn’t want the controversy that follows Milbury around like a lonely puppy they’d probably tell him to tone it done.
But Milbury’s comments after the Canada-Russia game on Wednesday were just dumb. Caps forward Alex Semin made a legal hit on Canadian defenseman Dan Boyle, who took exception after getting knocked into the boards and straight up slew-footed Semin to the ice moments later. Now, crush Semin for dropping a hit on someone about 56 minutes too late to make a difference for the Russians in a 7-3 loss. Crush him for his two-point performance in four games playing alongside Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin. That’s fair game. But overlooking an obvious slew foot because you think a guy deserved it? Uh, oh…is that the Fire Joe Morgan music?
Mike Milbury [narrating highlights on NBC along with Jeremy Roenick and Bill Patrick]
“I don’t blame Dan Boyle for going right after Semin on this play. Look at Semin trying to get out of the way.”
At this point the television replay shows Semin heading down ice, never once turning his head to see where Boyle is. So by “running away” Milbury meant “skating up ice because he’s playing hockey and that’s what you do.” Glad we cleared that up.
“I know this is a legal hit.”
Sweet. My job is done here. Milbury agrees. You guys want to hit up Chipotle?
“But with just under three minutes to go and a four-goal lead that’s not what you do.”
Nope, hitting someone clean is definitely not what you do in hockey. Milbury has also always, always encouraged – and publicaly lauded – players not to play hard. He loves guys like that. Especially the ones from Europe.
“That’s not cool.”
Seriously?
“That’s not how you behave J.R. – unless it’s a personal grudge or history.”
Because then anything goes. A guy insults your wife? You’re allowed to stab him with your skate repeatedly. But there has to be pure hatred there or it’s over the line. If there’s no personal grudge then it’s a game misconduct and a two-game suspension. Or maybe a 15-game suspension. Oh, sometimes six games. It just depends how the NHL feels when it wakes up in the morning. The league office isn’t really sure right now. Get back to them next time.
I don’t blame Boyle for getting right in his face.”
And then slew-footing Semin. Because that’s the part that happened right after the “getting right in his face.”
