After practice today, Rob Scuderi said he agreed that his check on Columbus’ Jason Chimera was too low, and didn’t argue the fine he received from the NHL yesterday. The maximum fine, per the collective bargaining agreement, is $1,000, so that’s almost certainly what Scuderi got, although it hasn’t been confirmed. After the game, Scuderi was careful in his words about whether or not his hit — which, from replays, seemed to start on the outside of Chimera’s knee — was acceptable. Today, he addressed the hit.
SCUDERI: “I got a call from Colin Campbell yesterday, and he expressed to me that he thought the hit was a bit low. At the time, I hadn’t seen it yet. I did see it later in the day, and I wish I could disagree with his judgment, but it was low. I’ve had a lot of hip checks the last few years, but that one just wasn’t right. It was definitely in a questionable area, and I have to pay my fine.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever been involved in anything even remotely controversial. … If anything, I’m more disappointed in myself, because I’ve always played hard but I’ve always played fair and honest, so it’s not the way I want to be seen as playing in this league. Fortunately, Chimera wasn’t hurt any more.”
Scuderi said he has been attempting to get in touch with Chimera and apologize for the hit.
SCUDERI: “All I can do is give him a call and extend the apology. It’s up to him if he wants to accept it or not. I understand if he’s mad. All I can do is offer it up.”
Dude is total class
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Man, Scuderi is a classy guy. I’m so glad there’s a guy like that to demonstrate professionalism to the rest of the team.
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That’s how you man-up.
Total class Scuds. You da man.
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2 words. Class Act.
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What a class act.
Great to see a guy step up, take it and be prepared to move on. Nothing but respect for that.
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I agree with everyone. I thinks Scuds sets a great example.
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Amen, baby.
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Oh, what does he know?
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Professional athlete.
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If he no accept do it one more time .GO KINGS.
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In a sick way I hope Chimera doesn’t accept his apology. Now that the Kings are actually competitors in this league again, its time for a brand spankin new rivalry. And not a Ducks/Kings rivalry…that one is stale. I want new blood. Like the Chicago/Vancouver rivalry or the Pens/Caps rivalry.
Twisted I know…but hey, it makes for exciting hockey.
And oh ya…Scuds is a class act. I agree.
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Agreed, class act!!!!
When the man himself says, “the hit was low”, that’s saying something….but some will say he wrong too….
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Let’s see if any of their guys are equally classy enough to apologize for elbowing Frolov and all the other dirty garbage and cheap shots they did afterwards. That’ll be the day.
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I think a Los Angeles/Columbus rivalry would be good for the sport. Two young, promising teams that hate each other.
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Well said Vladimir lol
I agree it was too low, but i was watching Rock Em Sock Em 5 a couple days ago and about 25% of those hits might warrant suspensions/fines in today’s NHL… just saying…
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I still say send him a nice fruit basket.
Maybe a note,
“Your pal the scud missile”
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Scuderi has tried calling Chimera? That says a lot about Scuds in my book.
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Classy? Yes.
However, I hope it doesn’t impede Scud’s competitive drive and make him hold back every time he wants to drive someone into the boards. His “niceguyedness” may haunt him.
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haha vladimir
I agree with what others have been saying. He is a class act, which is the opposite of what Chimera showed during and after the game. I think we all knew what kind of guy Scuderi was, and this just reinforces it.
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If there was any doubt as to why the organization spent as much as it did to get a bland, stay-at-home defensemen, this should dispel it.
This is the example that all the young kids on this team need to follow, and that pays off exponentially beyond what Scuds brings on the ice. You put in a blue collar effort regardless of your skill level every night, and after the game, win or lose, you are humble, professional, and even graciously apologetic when necessary.
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Steve Jensen…I’m willing to bet that he won’t let up one bit. He’s human by feeling remorse, but he’s a professional on the ice as well. There won’t be any issues with his level of compete.
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Echo ‘Total Class’.
What is Scuds gonna do, argue with the holder of the 8-Ball? He’s doing what he has to. He understands it doesn’t matter what he may REALLY think, I mean look how far that got Chimera in his comments? I believe Chimera lost some respect for his tantrum. You can’t buy that back.
Only $1,000? Man, a ticket from one of those red light cameras in Corona is $500+ with traffic school. My wife just got one of those tickets and it’s really a joke the fee for them. I’d pay twice that though if I could go ‘Scuderi’ on the Corona City Council for putting those damn cameras and inflated fees in. (ThumbsUp Smiley HERE)
I’m with Quisp. Hit was Legal.
I’ll add: Colin is a tool, Chimera is a baby, Mr, Lambert shouldn’t write for Puck Daddy’s blog & Anyone younger than 30 probably thinks the hit was dirty.
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I don’t think what Chimera did makes him not a class act. What he does in response to the apology would help in determining that. If any player on the Kings was hit like that they would be pissed as would us fans. The hit was low in todays game and Rob said the same. Did he do that intentionally, no of course not. But when it happesn to a player on the ice they don’t care what the players rep is, it is just that it happened and it could have been very bad for Chimera. He had a right to be upset I think.
Now the player that left the bench should have gotten a fine, that is a bad precedent to set in the league. What happens the next time I player leaves the bench to go after someone after a bad hit?
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His ‘niceguyness’ won’t affect his drive. It was just one of those things and I think we’re lucky to have him on the Kings.
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Bruin- You make a good point. He did lose some respect IMHO by a lot of the whining he did after the game. He’s a professional. He didn’t wait to see how Scuds would react, he just got mad because Scuds wouldn’t fight him. I guess everyone’s opinion on the matter centers around what each individual thinks of the hit first. Your point is valid though. I hope Chimera does the right thing.
The player that left the bench got VERY lucky. He left the bench BEFORE the whistle (At least that is what’s reported) so that’s why the ref called ‘Too many men’. After the whistle and he’s done for 10 games. I think that’s BS criteria, but that’s what the 8-Ball said I guess.
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Can’t wait for the next Blue Jacket game.
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Chimera got boarded by Eric Belanger in the preseason which had him leave the ice on a stretcher. Belanger said he apologized by phone and Chimera didn’t accept it and so forth. I assume he’ll do the same her with Scuderi.
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“Oh, what does he know?”
He knows to say the right thing in public
Of course, when the oppurtunity should present itself again, he will do the exact same thing.
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SMC…great catch. where’d you read that?
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TB,
Here’s Mike Russo’s blog from what happened.
http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/wildblog/2009/09/18/wild-2-blue-jackets-0-belanger-reax-on-chimera-hit-burns-outstanding-in-return-clutterbuck-scores-two/
And Tom Reed’s article on Chimera’s response.
http://blog.dispatch.com/cbj/2009/09/chimera_it_was_a_cheap_hit.shtml
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Do you think Ovechkin’s gonna say his slew-foot wasn’t dangerous? Do you think Richards is gonna say his head-shot on David Booth wasn’t one? Probably not. I like Scuderi for coming out and saying, after seeing the replay, that it was a low hit.
Hopefully when they play the Jackets next (January 28), there won’t be any spillover from Sunday. I wouldn’t be surprised, but hopefully everybody can be professional and realize that it was a one-time thing and that this won’t happen again.
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I’m so impressed with Scuds.
I also agree with you guys in terms of getting us a new rivalry .. but … the Blue Jackets? Mleeah.
San Jose works for me.
I will seriously enjoy this season if the Kings play a big part in putting down the last of Blake’s career like a rabid dog.
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did you here what chamara said to telling him to come out and fight what a tool
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I’m betting there is money on the bulletin board for the best “hip check” on Scuderi when these teams play next. Should be fun to watch.
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All time response, Quisp! Just awesome…
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I didn’t say this in previous posts, but Chimera needs to learn this league is physical and fast pace, you need to be self defensive too, both his comments about Belanger and Scuds came across like he was completely defenseless…that’s BS, you need to be ready for hits as well and clearly he plays with reckless abandon and then blames the other guy…I hope Scuds crushes him in the next game, albeit, with more of a butt check then a low hit.
I’m on board with you TB, another rivalry!
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“It’s the first time I’ve ever been involved in anything even remotely controversial.”
Umm…besides that thing in the crease about four months ago?
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It was a bit low, and that’s about it. Good for him taking the high road, though.
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