Quote:
Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug
Nope. As bad a hit as it was, the Ritchie situation is not comparable to the one in Sweden, which I would agree is worthy of criminal assault charges. (The game hadn't started!)
I don't like the way officiating seems to concern itself with the consequences rather than the intent, but either way, if it is in the context of the game (Monahan and Ritchie were going after a puck), in no way do I think a criminal investigation is warranted.
|
In another context, taking a stick to the head of someone would easily bring about charges for aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, so forth.
Why do we afford leniency for someone doing it on the ice? Do we forgive the player for their passion that they commit to the game? Or do we simply not want to diminish the "drive" these players have for the puck, afraid to make contact with one another in the case that it leads to something more serious?