I agree with those that think than Dan LaCouture's hit on Chris Masters was
illegal -- an elbow, no doubt, and worth a 5 minute major. HOWEVER, there
is no question in my mind that Frank Cole and his assistant referees could
not have seen it. The only angle from which it was apparent that LaCouture got
his elbow in there was from directly behind Masters, where there were no
officials. From behind or to the right of LaCouture, it looked like a clean
hit. In LaCouture's defense, I don't think he intended to elbow Masters. He
came in, Masters looked up, froze, and then threw himself to the right and
into the path of LaCouture's elbow. On the other hand, LaCouture did bring
his hands up. The bottom line is: one way or another, Masters was going to get
hurt -- LaCouture was skating near full speed and Masters was unprepared to
get hit. Keep your head up, kids.
 
Geoff Howell
 
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