At first I was thinking WTF that is super dirty but the more I watched it, it looks like he was definitely out of it. His head was down and I don't think he even saw him until the last second. I get that he has to be suspended no matter what because you don't want to send the wrong message but I don't think he should get 20 games or the rest of the year like I have heard.
From what I saw, which was just a replay, he looked like he was kind of out of it himself and realized somebody was coming at him and was gonna put a hit on whoever before making it back to bench.
looks completely dirty to me.. Using both arms in a cross check type of motion, don't think he would do that if he was out of it. JMO
It does seem that he was pretty dazed, but I agree that he needs to be suspended. Glad to see the referee wasn't injured.
He took a hell of a hit and didn't realize who was in front of him. There is no history and he will be back to playing in no time.
I don't know if they've yet to make the decision, but I'm thinking 3 games. I agree he intentionally cross checked the guy, but I'm also in agreement that he was dazed enough not to realize it was the ref. So give him 3 games for intent to cross check, but no more than that b/c he didn't realize the guy was wearing stripes. I've been clocked from behind before and turned and swung more or less blindly at the first upright target I was able to register. Hit a teammate. So I've kinda been there.
Plus hokey players tend not to be the brightest knife in the drawer so I can see how he would be confused.
There was no comparison to other sports, just commenting on hockey. I will say this the majority of pro hockey players are really nice guys very personable, just not that bright. I had college classes with UMD players, and if you want to copy off the paper of a guy who doesn't show up to class on a regular basis you must be desperate or simple.
his clean record will help him but that WAS a dirty move i understand he was "out of it" but that was ref...
It looked horrible, but i believe he was semi pissed about the hit, slightly out of it, trying to get to the bench and I think for a split second he may have thought it was someone coming off the other teams bench (being right there). I do think he has to be suspended and still accountable. But, I don't think it was a premeditated act.
