Chicago Blackhawks Classless in Wake of Brent Seabrook’s Hit on David Backes

Apr 19, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

St. Louis and the hockey world at large is still abuzz about the hit Brent Seabrook laid on Blues Captain David Backes in Saturday’s game at Scottrade Center. Seabrook was ejected, Backes never returned to the bench, and the Internet exploded with ugliness regarding both players. The Chicago Blackhawks showed little class as a team after the hit, something that hopefully doesn’t get in the way of all the hockey left to play in this series.

Fans around the league, including many Chicago fans, lamented the hit for being exactly the kind of head-hunting shot that has no place in the NHL. Unfortunately, other fans didn’t have anything nice to say:

The attitude of  some fans would indicate that the hit was perhaps deserved because in their opinion the Blues “…deliver cheapshots all the time…”

Their fans’ negative attitude toward the Blues and Backes is certainly shared by the Blackhawks on the ice. Blackhawks Captain Jonathan Toews can be clearly seen jawing with a dazed Backes, and while you can’t hear the exchange you can imagine the tone of it. There’s no love lost between the two team leaders and while I’d like to believe Toews would have the class not to harass Backes while he was hurt it’s clear that didn’t happen Saturday.

Seabrook appeared unfazed by what he’d done and was called out on Twitter:

Unbelievably, it gets worse, and this time you can hear it caught on the video. Around 0:35 you can hear someone taunting the obviously injured Backes, “Wakey, wakey, Backes! Wakey, wakey!” Some folks, including whoever posted this video, believe it was Duncan Keith. Keith was in very close proximity to Backes along the boards, but there’s no visible proof it was him.

Classless move, Blackhawks, classless.