MLRH and Hitting

[njstampede12]

I would like to say that I read on mlrh.com about Mike Francis and how he was hit. After reading It I spoke to mike on the phone about everything and he told me to check out the video of the game. So I checked it out and watching him get hit with a high cheap elbow was un-called for. This is a injury to a great guy and player. This Todd Orlando should recieve a suspension of some kind. Mike i wish you a speedy recovery.

[Mlrhnorthfan]

TJ I was thinking the same thing and was going to post a get well message on here for mike.

Hes a great guy and a great player.

Hes arguably one of the best players still playing MLRH. Probably in the top 3.

I didnt watch the film, nor will I.

This is why so few of the best inline talent in the US will play MLRH anymore. No one wants to risk getting his head knocked in by a goon and not get paid for it.

No one wants to risk missing time at their real job where they get paid for this.

Sorry but I question the need for the MLRH to even post this story on their main site. Its almost they flaunt the fact that one of their marquee players gets hurt with a cheapshot. Not sure how that would make other top players come to their league.

Best of luck to a speedy recovery for Mike.

[Doug Jones]

First, I wish Mike a speedy recovery and hope to see him back on the rink again soon.

Matt, it's obvious you have a tremendous dislike for the MLRH. You've made it clear with another post on scores and now this.

For argument's sake, you're going to tell me that no one in any other league has thrown cheapshots and or done something similar and it's just in the MLRH?

Let's be fair here. Should I post when I see a suspension for intent to injure in an AIHL game or a PIHA one? it'll happen you bet, someone will lose their cool and do something stupid like the elbow thrown that injured Mike. As a GM, I am upset with that elbow, because it doesn't belong in the game or in any league, but it's not EXCLUSIVE TO MLRH

I am sure the player responsible for the actions to Mike will be punished. As far as the site posting what it did, the first amendment guarantees us all the ability to express ourselves freely.

henceforth, I understand you don't like MLRH. You've thrown the rocks, and you keep throwing them with your jabs and comments.

[Mlrhnorthfan]

Doug your right, it can and does happen in any of our leagues. it just seemed like it was glorified in this instance.

I get a little carried away when I see a guy like Mike get hurt like this. Ive played against him for along time and he would never do something like this to another player. (I admit I did go and watch the footage after someone else mentioned it)

I love checking in hockey, I wish there was a way to get it back in our sport safely. Its not the MLRH's fault, its the fact that full grown men are playing a physical sport and regardless of the league there is no recourse to guys that go out there and hurt people.

honestly, in whatever league you play in, a simple suspension for potentially ending someones playing career doesnt seem to be a big enough deterent. especially when players arent being paid to play. A player could go in one league and deliberately injure someone, get suspended and simply go to another league. I think that we need to band together to get headhunters out of elite inline hockey. Hopefully someday soon a player that gets booted from the AIHL for intent to injure will not be able to play in the PIHA or the MLRH and vice versa.

You check in hockey to separate a player from the puck, not to separate the player from his knee ligaments.

[whizbang]

get well mike! see you when you're all better

[lufria55]

I would like to second the comments about Mike. Mike is a excellent player as well as a person, and it's always been enjoyable playing against him as well as with him on various teams.

Unfortunately, this online video is a tough one to judge - i actually have the raw copy, where I can view it frame by frame. It's tough to see at full speed, but when slowed down, higher resolution, and bigger, it actually looks like a legitiment check. One of the major issues is that Mike is about 5'8, and Todd Orlando is 6'9'.

I'm not at all endorsing what happeend - we would all love a competitive game where no one gets hurt, things are close and the game goes well. I wish Mike the best, speedy recovery possible.

[njstampede12]

lufria55,

You have every right to defend your player. But knowing Mike and playing with him for years i have never seen him get hit like that ever. He is a speedy guy that knows the game. Watching that game and seeing mike get hit with a high elbow and him laying there was wrong for Todd and his team. You guy should be punished in every way for his high elbow and intent to injure.

[minutemen]

where can i see the hit? Do not know Mike but have a speedy recovery and best of luck.

[njstampede12]

Go on MLRH.com justin it's around the the 26 min mark. Also a follow up for everyone Mike is getting his jaw wired shut tomorrow. Hope you feel better pal.

[minutemen]

I can see what lufria55 is saying, it is a taller defender hitting a smaller forward, BUT he did lead with his elbow. Should be a penalty, and a suspension if MLRH wants to make it clear that elbows will not be tolerated. The question is if Mike was not hurt on the play would we be having this discussion, probably not. But he was hurt and I wish him the best with his recovery. MLRH make a stand and let players know that elbows will not be tolerated.

I agree with Zuba, hitting it to take guys off the puck not to kill someone. Definitely people will debate on this particular hit. Have seen alot worse, but guy should learn not to lead with his elbow, can be very dangerous. This was his second confrontation in the early part of the game. He had a pushing match earlier, could be wrong may not have been the same player. So he could be a problem player and could lead to more issues during the season.

Also great coverage of the game. Cameraman did great and commentator as well. The broadcast was not good last year, Nice job MLRH improving that.

[njstampede12]

Yes he did lead with his elbow and that is intent to injure 100%. It does'nt matter what your size is. Look at Martin St louis that is 5'9 and Zdeno Chara that is 6'9 when they play eachother do you see Chara elbowing St.louis? No you don't see any of that. This happens when guys play in this league and want to kill someone in open ice hit. Like Zuba said we all have jobs to go to monday morning and some of us have kids. Were not getting paid to play roller hockey we play cause we love the game. Now one of the best players that plays the game is out for awhile cause this Todd guy wanted to be cheap and elbow someone in the head cause he was going to get beat.

[lufria55]

I appreciate the comments. i would like to show you some still shots that really show that the initial contact is his shoulder without a doubt, but i can't seem to post links on the board. Anyone have any suggestions?

[Sinister Soup]

Nobody likes to see people get hurt but if you’re going to play in a checking league sometimes you get an elbow. It happens in the NHL and countless ice hockey leagues around the world (most leagues with unpaid players) all the time. There's a AAA division for people who don't want to play full contact. So call off the lynch mob and get on with your life.

[lufria55]

Sinister,

I think their issue isn't necessarily with the fact that "it's a checking league and etc" But that this is the MLRH, not the NHL. People dont really dont need to be try to completely kill someone else in the game.

Our real issue with my team, and my real concern was a from-behind boarding call that should have been called on one on my players on the floor. I was furious about that absoluetly lack-of-respect and dangerous hit, and he is no longer playing contact, and will most likely not ever play it again with myself.

While I respect Mike Francis, The pictures and slowmotion really show the impact is with the shoulder first, not the elbow. I know it's hard to believe, but video doesn't lie. The other fact remains that if Mike Francis had NOT gotten hurt, this thread and controversy wouldn't have even happened.

[Sinister Soup]

I Reiterate ... Nobody likes to see people get hurt but if you’re going to play in a checking league sometimes you get BOARDED FROM BEHIND. It happens in the NHL and countless ice hockey leagues around the world (most leagues with unpaid players) all the time. There's a AAA division for people who don't want to play full contact. So call off the lynch mob and get on with your life.

I'm sure nobody died