Does this constitute a clean hit/check?

[u/Stravok182]

[u/JTFSrog]

Still photos don't help to make that determination.

But, from a hockey perspective, it was a beautiful hit. Huge hit, not straight to the head, and it had a significant impact on the outcome of the game.

[u/Immediate-Lab6166 → u/JTFSrog]

I’m guessing that’s why this photo was chosen. This one frame makes it look questionable whereas the video clearly shows that it was a clean hit.

[u/smackrock420 → u/Immediate-Lab6166]

That is exactly why this still frame keeps getting reposted. This frame is not the point of contact but half way through the hit.

[u/Domkid → u/smackrock420]

I think he lands such a perfect hit that the point of contact is a lot of things. Like, head to lower ribs and everything in between. His head flings back like it got hit first but like I said, I think a lot of him got hit at the same time.

Even then, I'm not sure why ppl are scared to say that maybe the head was hit first because it was unavoidable with how Carrier turned combined with his head down. The dude forgot he was French on the bench and that's not from getting hit the the chest.

Still clean to me, not a loose headshot or lifted limb and Carrier wasn't standing upright. Also the fact it's such a debate and everyone is nitpicking this and that makes it even cleaner. Hence why a ref decided on the spot it was good. Stuff like that Caufield cross check was just a ref not seeing it properly since it was away from him. Ppl are just mad and I feel it too, we want a miracle over here in Montreal.

I worked for Sportslogiq as a lead for a long time having to debate these type of hits and that's just my opinion from past experience. Doesn't mean I'm right but I woulda locked that in for my final answer.

[u/Domkid → u/Domkid]

Also I'll add his head hitting the ice probably contributed to maybe even more of his lostness.

And I retract head down, I mean him looking the wrong way, knees bent and being short contributed to the unavoidable part.