The Lost Art of Old-Time Hockey
In an era where men were men, hockey was a brutal, no-holds-barred sport. Legends like Eddie Shore and Ace Bailey ruled the ice, and a game wasn’t complete without someone requiring stitches from eyebrow to chin. Those were the days when players were made of steel, not sugar.
The Watered-Down Game of Today
Fast-forward to the present, and it’s a different story altogether. You can’t even think about smashing someone’s skull through the ice without facing severe consequences. The forearm shiver to the back of the helmet? Forbidden. The 10-game suspension for Ryan Hartman is a prime example of how the game has lost its edge.
A Good Ol’ Boy Gets a Bad Rap
Hartman, a Chicago-area native, is known for his tough play, but is he really a scumbag? Or is he just a good American kid who plays with heart? His opponent, Tim Stutzle, hails from Germany – a fact that might have contributed to Hartman’s overzealousness, perhaps fueled by too many WWII documentaries.
A Costly Mistake
The 10-game suspension and $487,804.88 fine are a steep price to pay for a hit that didn’t even yield the desired result. Stutzle finished the game with a couple of assists, while Hartman’s team lost 6-0. It’s a brutal way to blow through half a million dollars, especially when you consider the damage to his reputation.
The Unintended Consequence
Ironically, Stutzle emerged from the incident looking like a true Hockey Guy, with a face that says, “I’ve been through the wars.” Meanwhile, Hartman is left to ponder the what-ifs. It’s a tough break for the rugged forward, who will have to sit out for 10 games, adding another suspension to his record.
A Sport Lost in Translation
The Hartman-Stutzle incident highlights the disconnect between old-time hockey and the watered-down version we see today. Has the game lost its soul in the process of becoming more civilized? One thing is certain – the sport we love is no longer the same.
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