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Wisniewski points finger at Holmstrom

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07:30 AM ET 05.08 | James Wisniewski continued healing from a bruised lung suffered two nights earlier when he was hit beneath his right armpit area by Pavel Datsyuk's shot. While that was a fluke injury, Wisniewski lambasted Tomas Holmstrom for then elbowing him in the head. "I was just hunched over coughing up blood and I get a blatant elbow without even battling or anything," Wisniewski said Thursday. "Shows a little bit of a gutless play by one of their players." Holmstrom said he had no idea he hit Wisniewski because, "I have no eyes in my back, so I didn't know he was behind me. I had two guys on my back." Wisniewski scoffed at the claim. "I saw three different replays, and if you look at it, he looks over his left shoulder and just gives a nice little elbow right when I was just hunched over, not even doing anything," Wisniewski said. "So, I mean, if he says he didn't, I'm sure you have to believe him, but ... if it was Chris Pronger, I think all you media guys would make this a big deal about how dirty the Anaheim Ducks are. But since it's the Detroit Red Wings, I guess it's all OK."

Detroit Free Press

James Wisniewski, AP James Wisniewski, AP
May 8, 2009  07:53 AM ET

I haven't seen the replay, is it on YouTube?

May 8, 2009  08:07 AM ET

The Ducks may be the dirtiest team in the NHL. What goes around comes around.

At least I don't think there is a single player on the Ducks team that would whine to the media about fans throwing hats onto the ice for a hat trick. You know, like Cindy Crosby does.

May 8, 2009  08:07 AM ET

It is... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRHwM58ACFc

Having seen it, I don't think Holmstrom did it on purpose. He didn't look over his shoulder like Wisniewski says.

May 8, 2009  08:16 AM ET

Thanks for the vid, it doesnt look like it was on purpose at all to me.

May 8, 2009  08:16 AM ET

Homer did not look over his shoulder and see Wiz behind him, he simply was spinning to break away from Wiz. Maybe a penalty but no intent on Homer's part. It is funny now that the dirtiest team in the NHL is calling the Wings dirty.

May 8, 2009  08:51 AM ET

Welcome to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

May 8, 2009  08:56 AM ET
QUOTE(#3):

It is... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRHwM58ACFcHaving seen it, I don't think Holmstrom did it on purpose. He didn't look over his shoulder like Wisniewski says.

Don't be naive. Holmstrom is one of those guys who plays with an edge so he can cause havoc down low. That's what makes him successful. On the replay you don't see him look but no doubt he could feel a player on his back and he subtly moved him away with his elbow. Just physical hockey. Should have been 2 minutes for elbowing and thats it.

May 8, 2009  09:01 AM ET

When was this alleged elbow, roughly the same time as the puck hit him?

May 8, 2009  09:15 AM ET

Somebody dropped his Binkie!
Usually when someone makes a comment like "but since it's the Detroit Red Wings..." they are saying that becuase they want to play for them. And since he's from Canton Mi, think about it .
Boo hoo

May 8, 2009  09:34 AM ET
QUOTE(#9):

Somebody dropped his Binkie! Usually when someone makes a comment like "but since it's the Detroit Red Wings..." they are saying that becuase they want to play for them. And since he's from Canton Mi, think about it .Boo hoo

Oh Canton. home of Ikea. How I hate you. Why does the female population find it amusing to walk around fake rooms, buy random crap that you dont have room for, and then make you put it together?

May 8, 2009  09:43 AM ET

The Wiz can suck it. The elbow came after he was hit with the puck, and he was not doubled over. Wiz continued in the play and caught an inadvertant elbow. Could have been a penalty, but it was not a dirty play.

This is the same team that said Hudler's cut face was just physical play and no one should make a big deal about it. I'm so glad the Wings handed it to them last night. Keep your mouth shut and play the game.

May 8, 2009  09:54 AM ET

But as the Astute One, Don Cherry, pointed out on Coach's Corner last night, that was the end of the play.

The replay Cherry showed had Wisniewski spearing Holmstrom as they initially came to the net, prior to Datsyuk's shot and prior to Holmstrom setting up his screen.

Then the shot came and hit Wisniewski and initially he did not go down and Holmstroms back was to him.

Then Holmstrom delivered a 'retaliatory' elbow and only then did Wisniewski drop to his knees.

And it all happened very quickly.

Grapes knows.

May 8, 2009  09:56 AM ET
QUOTE(#7):

Don't be naive. Holmstrom is one of those guys who plays with an edge so he can cause havoc down low. That's what makes him successful. On the replay you don't see him look but no doubt he could feel a player on his back and he subtly moved him away with his elbow. Just physical hockey. Should have been 2 minutes for elbowing and thats it.

Listen, Holmstrom is no better than some other guys as far as throwing an elbow, etc. is concerned. It's one of those perpective things I guess
"He says he's a perfectionist, I say he's an **** S.O.B."

Holmstrom plays with an edge, but Ruutu is dirty...
But it absolutely ashould have been 2 minutes

May 8, 2009  10:26 AM ET

Also if he hadn't been trying to crosscheck Homer he might have been able to see the puck coming. Don't get me wrong, it is unfortunate he got injured as he did.

May 8, 2009  10:29 AM ET

In the title of this "article", it fails to mention exactly which finger he pointed at him, though I bet I could guess

May 8, 2009  10:41 AM ET
QUOTE(#5):

Homer did not look over his shoulder and see Wiz behind him, he simply was spinning to break away from Wiz. Maybe a penalty but no intent on Homer's part. It is funny now that the dirtiest team in the NHL is calling the Wings dirty.

Absolutely right.

May 8, 2009  10:42 AM ET
QUOTE(#6):

Welcome to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Exactly.

May 8, 2009  10:51 AM ET

In all seriousness I first thought Datsyuk had intentionally shot at Wisniewski. Wisniewski had mugged Datsyuk earlier at the side of the net and I had it in my mind that Pavel was seeking revenge so he delivered a high hard one a la Bobby Hull.

May 8, 2009  11:01 AM ET
QUOTE(#19):

was seeking revenge so he delivered a high hard one a la Bobby Hull.

Proof that even Red Wings can dream...

 
May 8, 2009  11:05 AM ET
QUOTE(#19):

In all seriousness I first thought Datsyuk had intentionally shot at Wisniewski. Wisniewski had mugged Datsyuk earlier at the side of the net and I had it in my mind that Pavel was seeking revenge so he delivered a high hard one a la Bobby Hull.

Dats getting a lil surly. He wouldn't have faired well, but it did look like at the end of that game that he actually wanted the ref to step aside so he could fight Pronger. That sad part is that Pronger felt he had to step in to protect his teammate...from Pavel. Yeah, don't let that bruiser Datsyuk pick on your teammates.

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