When it comes to a headshot, I don’t care whether the player wasn’t paying attention. Aho’s awareness is irrelevant to the rules. The only reason it matters in this case is because Aho literally just ran into Gio while he was standing set for a hit, not even moving. Doesn’t change the fact Gio was set for a hit and got his head.
Gio’s feet were set and he basically stopped and just stood his ground. Nothing about that is predatory at all, which is often a factor in these hits. He didn’t take a stride towards Aho at all.
So even though the penalty may have been the right call since he got his head, I don’t see how you suspend him. Just standing in a set stance with your elbow down and letting a guy skate into you can’t be a suspension, even if it might sometimes be a penalty.
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