Quote:
Originally Posted by Flamenspiel
Your kidding right? Getting suspended for swinging a stick at another player is not new or unprecedented. It was definitely a swing, the only mitigating factor is that it was a one hander instead of a two hander. Had it been a two hander he would be out for the playoffs.
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The point I was trying to make that you butchered so well was that weather or not this was justified, this has the potential to open the door supplemental discipline for other high sticking calls. Not that it will, just that cases of previous suspensions are often used as grounds for future suspensions. Combine that with the fact that the league is trying to get "dirty plays" out of the game, well the line between intentional and accidental becomes increasingly blurry since a select few peoples opinion is what determines these decisions.
A perfect example of that point is Cooke cutting Karlsson's tendon. Because the NHL (and thus some fans) are in full crackdown mode on "dirty plays", some people (media, fans etc) wanted Cooke held responsible because of that blurry line. Thankfully common sense prevailed but that's not always the case.
Anyways before my comment gets blown way out of proportions I thought I should clarify a bit. Do with it what you will. Justified suspension in this case, but I worry about the effects it may have going forward. Another drop in the proverbial bucket if you will.