Take a Number: Now Serving Old Time Hockey

Something happened on February 4th, 2013. Something that I personally wish would happen more often. It’s exciting, it’s good for the game of hockey, and it was effective. Johnny ‘Destroychuk’ Boychuk of the Boston Bruins took exception to a hit he received from David Booth of the Vancouver Canucks.

Crush people Johnny did. More specifically, he crushed Booth. Twice. You’ve likely heard the expression “he took his number” before, well this is a classic example and I love it. I’ve grabbed a few clips from the game (stick-tap to @dafoomie, check out his Bruins videos on YouTube) to illustrate just how effective this is.

We’ll start with the hit by Booth on Boychuk. You can see that Booth rides a little high and Boychuk takes a gloved shot at him almost immediately. I don’t think there is anything illegal in the hit, but Boychuk has a right to be unhappy with him jumping high on him.

boychuk_highhit

Boychuk follows Booth to the corner and gives him another gloved shot to the back.

boychuk_retaliate

The importance of this sequence is that the gloves do NOT drop. Boychuk continues following the play. After knocking Booth down he is making his way back to the low face-off circle.

The Bruins are pinned in their zone at this point, and it has been a long shift. Play has continued and the Bruins are changing out players one by one. Boychuk collects the puck and makes a beautiful stretch pass to Paille, fresh on the ice, who gets a breakaway and scores.

boychuk_assist

By not trying to start a fight, or crossing the line and committing a penalty, the Bruins are ultimately able to score. Boychuk notches his 13th assist of the season, tying Chara for second amongst Bruins defense men.

There is a general problem that has been building in the NHL where guys want to drop the glove over every big hit. I have no problem with the occasional fight, but hockey is a contact sport. Big hits happen. Take their number and play on. That’s exactly what Boychuk does, and it’s where this story gets really good.

With about 20 seconds left in the second period the Bruins are making an offensive stand. Booth chases down a puck that was sent around the boards and Boychuk is pinching to keep possession. Boychuk sees Booth and lays him out with a beautiful stand up hit. Retaliation hit number one of the night.

boychuk_hit1

boychuk_hit1_slow

Then in the third period Boychuk lines Booth up again as he is carrying the puck for a Canucks offensive rush. Reilly Smith is back checking and trying to angle Booth towards the boards. This gives Boychuk the opportunity to get speed and positioning to deliver a perfect hip check, breaking up the play. Retaliation hit number two of the night.

boychuk_hit2

boychuk_hit2_slow

Boychuk is able to punish Booth for what he felt was a bad hit, while keeping himself out of the penalty box, and even contributing offensively as well.

This style of play is why I love Boychuk so much. He is one of the best open ice hitters and I believe he is underrated on this Bruins team that typically outshines him with Chara and Seidenberg. Seidenberg’s season ending injury puts Boychuk’s play into the spotlight.

The Coach says it all, Boychuk plays at this level already. It’s nothing new.

Take a number, Boychuk will see you soon.

JMD

Founder of Dekes and Dangles. Die hard Bruins fan. Lover of hockey. You can find me spewing my crazy thoughts at twitter.com/JackTheWire.

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5 Responses

  1. Ben R. says:

    Awesome breakdown of something that often goes unnoticed. It’s impressive enough that he MAKES these three important plays, but the fact that they involve the same player who’s number is notched in his visor is amazing. You won’t see this on the stat sheet (beyond an assist and two hits, ha), but standing up for yourself and getting guys looking over their shoulder can win games… or even a series.

  2. Jack P. says:

    Booth is generally not known to be a guy that throws hits like that or is looking to generate that kind of contact. His career got derailed in Florida by a head hunting, vicious, cheap shot by then Philadelphia Flyer captain Mike Richards, that saw him leave the ice on a stretcher. Booth went from a tremendously confident player, great skater and 30 goal scorer to a shell of himself after being out for a lengthy period with a concussion. He was only back for a handful of games before he got rocked again and went back on IR with another concussion. Since the trade from Florida to Vancouver, he’s struggled to see playing time too. Seeing him target anyone up high, international or not, is rather surprising. Boychuk gave it back in spades though.

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