Ville Nieminen: dirty hit?

[Red Wings GM]

Just cause the Kopsack's are away doesn't mean we can't post, right? right?

Anywho....

Anyone watch the Calgary -- Detroit game last night?

Detroit was up 4-2 with 5 seconds left. The game was obviously over. Ville Nieminen took a run at Curtis Joseph and knocked him over. No one pushed him -- he made a clear run.

The linesmen scurried him away before Darren McCarty could get to him.

A few things:
--was it a dirty hit?
--should they have allowed McCarty to fight Nieminen (to prevent payback a la Bertuzzi)?
--should he be suspended?

I'd really enjoy anyone's thoughts -- especially our Canadian buddies.

[Commissioner]

Hi from Punta Cana. I am checking my emails as i am checking out of the hotel. Be back this afternoon to get things started back up. See you then!

[CapitalsGM]

I definetly think it was a dirty hit. With 5 seconds left Nieminen had no right to nail Cujo like that. However, with that being said I think the NHL learned from the Bertuzzi incident and I don't think there will be any retaliation from the Wings.

[CanucksGM]

Dave i watched the game till the Wings scored the empty netter, so i did not get to see the hit, i hope they show it on sportscenter, so i can voice my opinion.

[FlyersGM]

CanucksGM said:

Dave i watched the game till the Wings scored the empty netter, so i did not get to see the hit, i hope they show it on sportscenter, so i can voice my opinion.

Same here......

[FlyersGM]

Ok, I saw it...

In my opinion, it was not a dirty hit because CuJo saw him coming and unless he is a moron when there is a guy coming straight at you and the play is behind him by a few feet he is coming to hit you and I am not exactly buying this "he elbowed him" he barely brought his elbow up, it was mostly a body check.

He didn't even hit him that hard either. That's the kind of stuff I love, it gets the rivalry going, it gets the players heated up and it gives something to look forward to for next game. Perhaps he was trying to send a message for game five tomorrow.

He should not be suspended.