Announcer Mike Haynes: “Kronwall got a taste of his own medicine”

Just over 2 minutes into last night’s game between the Colorado Avalanche and the Detroit Red Wings, Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall took a nasty hit from Avalanche left wing Cody McLeod that resulted in Kronwall being ushered off the ice on a stretcher. Apparently, Colorado Avalanche announcer Mike Haynes feels like Kronwall got what he deserved.

Before we go any further with this here is a look at the hit from the Red Wings feed.

As you can hear, the Red Wings announcers are concerned for the man on the ice, and waiting to see what is going to develop from the situation; however, the same cannot be said from the Colorado Avalanche feed.

Let’s take a listen to that, shall we?

After Kronwall takes a huge hit from behind, Haynes says,

"He is crunched! Oh, what a hit by McLeod!”"

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am all about celebrating a huge, legal hit; however, you may want to evaluate the situation a little further before you get all excited. Did the situation end there? Of course not!

As Kronwall lies motionless on the ground and a fight is starting to ensue after Red Wings players come in to defend their guy, Haynes says this,

"Well, I’ll tell you what, you talk about getting a little of your own medicine. Kronwall has made a living in this league with big hits and he just got crunched there by Cody McLeod!”"

Like I said, I am all about celebrating a big hit; however, is it really appropriate to be celebrating when A) A player is lying motionless on the ice with a potential serious injury, and B) When the hit was almost assuredly not clean? I mean, really?

Taking into consideration that a concussion was a very likely possibility for Kronwall, is that really appropriate?

Later, it was announced by the Red Wings that Kronwall had indeed suffered a concussion and cuts to his ear.

Thankfully, color commentator Peter McNab is able to bring things down a notch by pointing out some very valuable facts. First of all, this hit looked eerily similar to the one by St. Louis Blues center Maxim Lapierre that landed San Jose Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle in the hospital. Secondly, this was not exactly a clean hit.

I understand that in hockey, when you are speeding down the ice, there moment comes when you are unable to stop in a viable amount of time to avoid a hit; however, when you see someone with their head down and their numbers facing you, you do what you can to shield the impact from the affected player and go about your business.

Here is what McNab had to say about it.

"He was bent down when the hit came.” McNab says. “Does he see the numbers? Are the numbers right there? They are, Mike. The numbers are right there.”"

Maybe I am wrong here, but is it really appropriate to claim that a player, whether your opinion is factual or not, got what he deserved as he is lying on the ground with a concussion?

What do you think?