Quote:
Originally Posted by icarus
I'm guessing they would say that the head contact was unavoidable under Rule 48.1 - same as what helped Dube avoid suspension after his hit on Kotkaniemi earlier in the season. But I suppose we'll never know.
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Some differences between the plays in my opinion;
- Kotkaniemi had possession of the puck
- Kotkaniemi was reversing path to avoid a Flames forechecker
- Kylington did not have possession of the puck
- Kylington was in a battle with another Oiler to gain possession
- Kylington could not defend himself as his attention was on another Oiler and he was engaged in a stand still battle on the boards
Now i'm not saying the Dube hit was clear cut clean in respect to hitting a defenceless player, if anything you may be able to penalize him for that if you don't want to hold Kotkaniemi responsible for putting himself in a terrible situation, but Kylington was actively engaged with another player and didn't have the puck. Its not the same thing in my opinion, but it was pretty clear that it was both interference and contact to the head.
This play is almost identical to the Wilson hit IMO, Wilson got 7 games. Although I don't think its right, I think the NHL probably ruled no suspension because Khaira got obliterated in a fight and is probably out for awhile, plus Kylington returned to the game.