Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
If there's no fight, I don't think they will give an instigator. The rule book refers to an "altercation" but then goes on to give every example as including a fighting major. And it's under "fisticuffs".
http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=25010 |
Here is Rule 56 Fisticuffs
Quote:
An instigator of an altercation shall be a player who by his actions or demeanor demonstrates any/some of the following criteria: distance traveled; gloves off first; first punch thrown; menacing attitude or posture; verbal instigation or threats; conduct in retaliation to a prior game (or season) incident; obvious retribution for a previous incident in the game or season.
The aggressor in an altercation shall be the player who continues to throw punches in an attempt to inflict punishment on his opponent who is in a defenseless position or who is an unwilling combatant. A player must be deemed the aggressor when he continues throwing and landing punches in a further attempt to inflict punishment and/or injury on his opponent who is no longer in a position to defend himself.
An altercation is a situation involving two players, with at least one to be penalized.
|
i did the bolding and underlining. The criteria is all there and we have seen it called one way before. I remember a Flames vs Caps game where Bourque got a 9 minutes and Beagle nothing. Ended up a 9 minute PP for the caps.
The criteria fits for it to be called the ref just gave him an out because if they called it, it would have been a suspension.