Why do we as fans continue to wonder why the league and officials do not treat each incident and player equally? The NHL went to a two referee system to help clean up the league and speed it up. But, as is evident from recent games, the lack of penalty calls on a particular player with the Superstar moniker is brushed aside as a hockey play. While the career and life of another player is changed because of a reckless play.
Hockey is or was a very physical and fast paced game and the NHL is the best in the world! Every incident resulting in injury is reviewed by the league even if not deemed a penalty on the ice. The issue at hand is penalties that would be called on most others do not get called on the Superstar player, even the ones resulting in severe injury.
A high stick is a two minute penalty regardless of the intent. If it draws blood it is a double minor and if severe it is a major penalty with a game misconduct. those are written rules. That gets reviewed by the NHL regardless of the on ice call. Or so we thought.
Read the following rule and then click the link to watch video. Please, keep in mind the rule is from the NHL Rulebook.
Rule 85. Slashing: Slashing is the act of swinging a player’s stick at an opponent, whether contact is made or not. (NOTE ) Non aggressive stick contact to the pant or front of the shin pads, should not be penalized as slashing. (a) A minor or major and a game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, shall be imposed on any player who impedes the progress of an opponent by “slashing” with his stick. (b) A major and a game misconduct penalty or a match penalty shall be imposed on any player who injures an opponent by slashing. (See Rule 43 – Attempt to or Deliberate Injury of Opponents.)
League VP states the incident will not be reviewed by the NHL. According to Bill Daly the NHL VP and Deputy Commissioner, NHL is NOT looking into Crosby Slash on Methot.
The previous night: Also not penalized.
The league and officials of every sport have a responsibility to maintain safety standards regardless of the player, teams or Country of origin. Not doing anything and publicly stating it will not be reviewed is something that needs to be addressed at the ownership and management level. The fans, media and players are not able to influence the change needed at the league management level.
It is about a clear penalty that resulted in serious injury, regardless of the intent or the name of the player, or team. It brings about serious questions of the integrity of the NHL Office. It also adds to the perception of favoritism and disregard for others players safety.
A slash is one of many penalties and they happen often with many not being called. The infraction itself comes with risks and one of those risks is penalties and/or injuries. The player that is not trying to hit the puck but the stick, hands or body is deemed as a penalty by the rule book. It could be called countless times during a game and the game would be even slower with more stoppages. It just happens that the most blatant penalties within two days were done a player with Superstar status and the perception of favoritism is a blatant reality.
I personally like when players play with an edge but that also comes with accountability and not hiding behind the officials and league. It used to be that those matters were handled by the players on the ice and it prevented many of them from occurring for the remainder of the game or series. Very simple, if you want to play the role it comes with risks. This is true with all players or it should be.
Many accurately predicted that removing the enforcers/policeman from the game was only going to create more stick work with more injuries. Again, this falls squarely on the NHL Management and Ownership and is the by-product of the decisions made during the lockout. When players are receiving special treatment and allowed to commit penalties that result in possibly career ending or long term injuries it is the ownership that need to speak up.
I believe the player going unpunished will actually result in more trouble for the Superstar player. Unnecessarily placing a mark on one of the most skilled players the NHL has ever had. Players around the league do not forget and fans will make sure of that as well. The league doing the right thing would have served to protect the player that committed the infraction and the alleviate the perception of bias in the league itself. In this particular case the NHL may have failed the players, teams, fans and ultimately the integrity of the game at the highest level. Think that is too harsh?
I strongly urge that you do your own research and make up your own mind. The names of those involved was not given so as to protect the Superstar player and NHL Representative. As long as the NHL gives a free pass to individual players to do as they please the other players are not safe. Teams will be forced to employ the Enforcers that the NHL has worked so hard to push out of the game. Enforcers will return out of necessity and those Superstar players can then concentrate on the skills the NHL covets. As I told officials many years ago when serving as Director of Officiating at a now defunct minor league, "If you don't call it you are condoning it."
@StirlingWright
