The only other incident of attacking an opponent from behind that I can draw comparison to is the Bertuzzi (Moore) incident. So, put the resulting injuries aside, since they should have no determining factor in a suspension for the act committed.
Bertuzzi: Attempts to engage Moore several times throughout the shift, in retaliation to a hit that left Linden concussed (previous game)
Thornton: Attempts to engage Orpik several times in retaliation to a hit that left Eriksson concussed.
Bertuzzi: During play, follows Moore around the ice, before grabbing his jersey from behind, trying to pick a fight, eventually sucker punching Moore from behind, resulting in both players falling to the ice, and a handful of players piling on top.
Thornton: After a whistle, takes several hard strides to approach Orpik from behind while his attention is drawn to another scrum. Reaches over a shoulder, slew foots him, and once down, drops to his knees and throws several gloved punches to the face.
The result, both Moore and Orpik knocked unconscious, and removed from the ice on a stretcher. Obviously Moore's injury turns out to be much worse in the end.
The Similarities of the incident in my eyes, are both Attacked players from behind, when the other player clearly was not interested in an altercation. They end there though, they differ in the fact that Bertuzzi did this during play, was continuously attempting to engage Moore, and Moore was well aware that Bertuzzi was there, although still unable to protect himself from the sucker punch. Only one punch was thrown, the attack did not continue once on the ice, and it has still not been determined if the punch, the fall, or the ensuing pile of players ultimately caused the spinal injury. Thornton attacked Orpik after a whistle, with no warning, approached from behind, slew footed, and then continued the attack once on the ice.
Bertuzzi received and indefinite suspension from the NHL and IIHF (along with criminal charges), the result being 20 NHL games, and a season with no international play during the lockout.
I think Thornton got off easy with 15 games, and in my eyes deserved the same indefinite suspension Bertuzzi received, both players knowingly attacked a player from behind who were unable to defend themselves, Thorntons made worse by the fact that it was after a whistle, with absolutely no warning, and the intent looking that much worse by both the trip, and the following punches.
Punishment should be based solely on the act and intent, not the result.
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