Discipline: The pre-season story

Photo Credit:  The Globe and Mail

Many critics of the National Hockey League have constantly plagued the league as being too violent and far too lenient when it comes to disciplinary action.

Not the case anymore, it seems.

In his first full campaign as the NHL's disciplinarian, Brendan Shanahan has taken a more direct approach to the constant barrage of questionable hits that are seen in many NHL games.  Shanahan's approach has been a popular one for fans and media a like as he has put heavier suspensions down on players who choose to take liberties on the ice. 

The best examples of this tougher initiative are with Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman James Wisniewski and Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith.  Both players receive major suspensions for blows to the head with 10 and 8 game suspensions respectively. 

Suspensions are nothing new to the hockey world, but the amount of suspensions that have been levied before the season has even begun is astonishing.  No executive in recent NHL history has had this type of attention this early into a new season as Shanahan has and most spectators are curious to see how these suspensions will play out as the season continues.

So, what will be the future of physical play in the NHL?  Will these type of hits be eliminated as time goes on?  Will physical play slowly fade out of the league?  Will Shanahan view fighting as the type of head blows that need to be removed?  Time will tell as interest rises.

Hungry Lions

The Detroit Football Lions are 3-0 for the first time since 1980. In 1980 the band "Blondie" was on top of the charts and the lions were on a top of the NFL.

The Lions also snapped their losing streak in Minnesota. The last time the Lions won a road game in Viking land was 1997. When then quarterback Scott Mitchell hit wide receiver Herman Moore in the final seconds for a game winning touchdown. It looked like another loss was destiny for Detroit after the Vikings came out like a house on fire scoring the games first 20 points. With the Lions only managing 75 yards in offense. There was drastic changes that needed to be made at halftime.

If this was 2 or 3 years ago I would say that this game is over and the Lions would of roll over and die but this isn't you older brothers Detroit Lions. They got mean and came out strong scoring 10 points in the 3rd quarter including one of Calvin Johnson's touchdown grabs which made it 20-7. Minnesota who had given up 2 second half leads for losses in the last 2 weeks started to get nervous. Moving to the 4th quarter the Detroit defense only got stronger forcing Vikings quarterback Donovan McNabb into sacks and pressure. The first play of the 4th quarter QB Matthew Stafford hits Calvin Johnson for his 2nd touchdown of the game and just like that its 20-17.

This is where Viking fans start to say to themselves "Here we go again" a phase lions fans know all too well. After a 4th and 1 run that just fell short the Lions got the ball back and drove down the field and gave Jason Hanson a chance to kick a 50 yard field goal which he made. After another Viking's 3 and out the Lions got the ball back and put it in the capable foot of Hanson which he nailed again to give the Lions their first lead of the day. At 23-20 with just minutes remaining on the clock the Vikings muster up enough offense to tie the game at 23 to send it to overtime.

After a critical coin flip that the Lions won it was time for Matthew Stafford to put an end to this Minnesota losing streak. With the ball near the Lions 30 yardline Matthew Stafford sends a deep pass for Calvin Johnson which he caught in "Megatron-like" fashion. which set up Jason Hanson to be the hero by kicking the game winning 38 yard field goal which he calmly stuck just inside the right goal post. Just like that the Lions are 3-0. Next up for the Detroit Lions a trip down to Cowboy Stadium to take on Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys.

Welcome

Hello and welcome to Amped Sports Talk. Were your home for everything that's sports related. From the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB and Local Sports. With insight from true sports fans. Along with hearing from our readers. We will be looking for you to give us your input on your favourite topics with our poll questions. We hope to hear from all of you. We will have a Facebook page created shortly. Until then you can direct your questions and comments here at the Amped Sports Talk Blog.

Cheers.
Darrin D.
Amped Sports Talk.