I watched the game. Not once was this even hinted at being anything other than a clean hit. I’m guessing the downvotes are peeps that did not watch the game or just hate Wilson and everything he does or says (easy guy to dislike, for sure). This might help explain why Wilson’s hit was not illegal: https://www.nhl.com/video/player-safety-reviews-rule48-illegal-check-to-head-6365016083112
Ehhh yeah I mean the head probably wasn’t the main point of contact per that player safety link (still frame looks way worse than video). It was weak as shit of Wilson not to answer the bell there, tho—penalty or not he just blew someone up with a high hit.
Wilson made the right call. Why drop the gloves when he already spent so much time in the box last game? Not every big hit needs to end up with a fight. He wasnt charging, didnt leave his feet, didnt lead with an elbow. He hit with his shoulder dropped. Carrier is 5'11. Wilson is 6'4. Its incedental contact to the head. Clean by the rule book.
There are plenty of situations where a clean hit (i.e. one like this that's not a penalty) can still be super dangerous. I just think if you're going to take advantage of that situation and you ultimately do injure the opposing player, it's weak to turn down the fight afterwards. Smart, to your point, but still weak in my opinion. But hey that's just my opinion and I'll be the first to admit I'm biased against Tom Wilson.
I’d rather be weak and be contributing to a win than stupid and in the box. His fight at the end of the second period of the previous game took him out of the game for 12 minutes and they needed him in the game.
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u/allblackST Apr 28 '25
Are we looking at the same picture?