I’m aware that ONCE a suspension is issued, THEN, injury is allowed to be considered as a factor in the LENGTH of suspension!
I’m also aware that a player can receive suspension time for a hit, EVEN IF, the game referee misses it OR doesn’t call a penalty on the player during the game!
Since the above are both true, it SHOULD BE logical, that any player PENALIZED in a game, for an illegal or late hit, THAT CAUSES INJURY, (sufficient to cause the injured player to miss games), then THAT offending player, should receive a suspension! This is NOT the case, obviously, at DOPS! And I think it should be a rule! Here’s why:
In Reaves case, the type of hit, (shoulder to shoulder) was legal. The hit WAS obviously intentional, still no problem. Had the hit been one second earlier, before Willy got rid of the puck, even though Willy suffers injury, then there would have been NO PENALTY! Then it’s simply said that “this happens”, in hockey!
The whole issue, (and why Reaves got the major, and game misconduct penalties), was with the TIMING of the hit, obviously! It was LATE!
This is where the rules should call for suspension , because the hit WAS PENALIZED, AND the player suffered injury, to the degree that he will miss a game(s)!
I never realized this wasn’t a rule before! This incident illuminates a need for such a rule, to help define some badly needed consistency at DOPS!
If we’re going to have a softer NHL, and be asked to tolerate its ever growing pussification, then at least be consistent!
Rush
