Does anyone get suspended? Upd: no hearing for Hamhuis, Burrows suspension rescinded

[zukes]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

So why have these rules and allow the refs to make the calls of they can just go back on them. Engelland should've been automatically suspended for game 3, Burrows for game 4. The rule isn't doesn't have a "eh, unless it's the playoffs and the guy he fought is okay for the next game" clause. Instigator = suspension. Just get rid of the rule, it's bush league to decide when to enforce it and when not to.

Except that it's not which is pointed out above. The suspension is reviewable. The NHL got it wrong when they didn't rescind the instigator. Russell went to Burrows, some guy comes at me after I lay a big hit, my mitts are coming off. No problem with that call.

The hit in Bennett should have been a fine and that's all, questionable hit, no indication of intent, but the primary contact was the head.

Bieksa should have gotten an instigator and a one game suspension. The on ice refs screwed that one up. Not sure that suspending or fining Bieksa with no original instigator call would be allowed and you can guarantee there would be an appeal if they did that. Bad call by the on ice officials, unfortunately right call by the NHL.

The worst call of all is this "both teams have been warned" BS! That sends a message to the incompetent officials in this series that could have been kept behind closed doors. There have been plenty of borderline calls both ways (more from Vancouver on Calgary in my opinion) that have not been called, which is fine, the refs can change that on their own, even if it takes behind the scenes actions from the NHL. The NHL looks stupid for this move.

Personally, my directive if I was running the league would be to increase the look out for dirty stuff and throw the book at the offenders ON THE ICE. That is where it penalizes the offender the worst. I bet Hartley doesn't pay a cent of that fine. Burke keeps that money in his pocket with his comb.

[sureLoss]

Mark Spector @SportsnetSpec
Series manager Rob Shick has spoken with both GMs in VAN-CGY series. League wants extra-curricular, late game violence to stop.

Mark Spector @SportsnetSpec
GMs expected to speak to their coaches. More late game stuff in Game 4 could result in fines/suspensions. Ref's will be briefed as well.

[Biyaaaah]

I like that there were no suspensions. They'll be there to get their butts kicked again on Tuesday

[KootenayFlamesFan]

So here's a discussion with the DPS Vice Pres. on twitter today. Not sure I like his answer. If you instigate you instigate. Should be pretty black and white, not with an asterix beside it.

Nick Cotsonika ‏@cotsonika
The NHL didn't uphold suspension because Burrows didn't set out to instigate. He responded to Russell. Nothing to do with time left, score.

Damien Cox ‏@DamoSpin
@cotsonika This is where I get confused. If he was responding, not instigating, why is instigator left on his record?

Damian Echevarrieta ‏@Ech28
@DamoSpin he still dropped gloves first, threw first punches. He gave Russell no choice but to fight. He just didn't come on ice to do it.

[tvp2003]

I believe neither Russell nor Ferland were looking to start a fight, likely because they didn't want to get stuck with an instigator and get suspended.

I only saw one replay of the Burrows/Russell incident but IIRC Burrows used his glove to shove Russell's face and knock out his mouthguard. Then he dropped his gloves and started punching Russell before Russell had his gloves off. Don't know what was said between the two but Russell's body language wasn't to chuck the mitts whereas Burrows was more than willing to (against the smaller Russell -- big shocker).

Bieksa/Ferland was obvious -- Bieksa had already thrown 4-5 punches before Ferland was able to get his gloves off.

The last five minute instigator rule is stupid if they're not going to enforce the automatic 1-game suspension. If it didn't apply in this case, it never will IMO.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Mark Spector @SportsnetSpec
Series manager Rob Shick has spoken with both GMs in VAN-CGY series. League wants extra-curricular, late game violence to stop.

Mark Spector @SportsnetSpec
GMs expected to speak to their coaches. More late game stuff in Game 4 could result in fines/suspensions. Ref's will be briefed as well.

Haynes nails it.

Darren Haynes ‏@DarrenWHaynes
@SportsnetSpec One more warning. OK, one last warning. Alright, this is the final warning. Sounds like my parenting technique. (Not working)

[Coach]

The instigator has never meant "came on the ice to fight"

It means the instigator of a fight. He who starts it. Initiates. Take any synonym you want.

Whoever throws first....so to speak...

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by MattyC

The instigator has never meant "came on the ice to fight"

It means the instigator of a fight. He who starts it. Initiates. Take any synonym you want.

Whoever throws first....so to speak...

Exactly. Feels like the NHL is just making it up as they go along. They might as well just scrap the last 5 minute rule entirely if they're not going enforce it.

[jemjey]

i knew no one was going to get suspended... but i just want the league to be consistent.

no 50k fine for desjardins is shameful. i hate the nhl and their taint

[hockey.modern]

If any incident is to occur now for this series, I fully expect their to be suspensions starting now.

[FlamesAddiction]

I am more put off by the lack of discussion about Hamhuis and his dirty head shot. Have they said anything about that?

[IntenseFan]

I believe this to be indicative of an unconscious bias in the NHL, in terms of both Player Safety and the on-ice Officials. Calgary is seen as the "lesser-talented" team, that hasn't yet paid its dues. The Canucks, on the other hand, have been playing the league with the "we're so hard-done-by" b.s. for years to some success (look at their schedule, getting the most teams on the second night of back-to-backs in their building).

Again, I don't think it's intentional, but its definitely there. On the ice as well, until the Canucks totally started to lose it yesterday the Flames were hardly drawing any penalties.

[photon]

Next time it'll be "He didn't drive to the rink to fight."

[photon]

Next time it'll be "He didn't drive to the rink to fight."

[Coach]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Exactly. Feels like the NHL is just making it up as they go along. They might as well just scrap the last 5 minute rule entirely if they're not going enforce it.

There literally is a completely different rule book in the playoffs. It makes no sense, especially when teams play each other multiple times in a row. It's a given that any dirt is going to get carried into the subsequent game and boil over.

We all love the intensity and the speed, but that is accomplished through clean play, not constant stoppages for jack assery. All it does is frustrate the fans and make the NHL look like a parody of itself when it's under the biggest spotlight. There was a great opportunity here to take text book calls from the regular season and use them to set a precedent of keeping a relatively safe environment on the ice and they missed it big time.

[Redrum]

So probably the most innocent guy in this whole series is the only one punished, with a massive fine. Great job NHL.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Redrum

So probably the most innocent guy in this whole series is the only one punished, with a massive fine. Great job NHL.

Anti-French Bias!!

[Blarg]

As much as I hate that no discipline was handed out to the Canucks via fines or suspensions, the best course of revenge will be winning the series.