Never A Shortage of Perps

So Raffi Torres got off scott-free. Will the same apply to Chris Kunitz and Steve Downie?

Unlikely, because while Torres didn't even get a lecture, both Kunitz and Downie have hearings with NHL authorities Tuesday morning after their actions in a nasty Game 3 encounter between Kunitz's Pittsburgh Penguins and Downie's Tampa Bay Lightning Monday night. You'd think both Kunitz and Downie would be facing suspensions.

But with the NHL, you just never know, do you?

Kunitz delivered a dirty elbow to the back of the head of Simon Gagne, and given similar cheap shots delivered recently by Dany Heatley and Brad Marchand, a two-game suspension seems likely.

But with the NHL, you just never know.

Downie, meanwhile, could really be in trouble. He raced down the ice, jumped and drove his shoulder into the chest/head area of Pittsburgh's Ben Lovejoy behind the Pittsburgh net. He was going to get a two-minute penalty, but the Pens went down the ice and scored.

What's interesting, however, is that four years ago while with the Philadelphia Flyers, Downie was suspended 20 games by the NHL for a flying shoulder to the head of Ottawa's Dean McAmmond. At the time, it was the fourth longest suspension in NHL history.

So that makes him a repeat offender, and the the hit on Lovejoy wasn't as reckless as that on McAmmond, but it was in the same ballpark. Then again, Monday's revelation that there is a "hitting zone" behind the nets in which head shots are apparently okay could work in Downie's favour.

But if Colin Campbell gave Downie 20 games before, what in the world does he give him this time? Maybe 21 games? Maybe one game?

With the NHL, you just never, ever know.

Comments

[dustin]

You're acting as if all headshots are illegal, they're not. Kunitz should be suspended for his blatant elbow, Downie shouldn't be suspended as his shoulder didnt hit Lovejoys face (more the shoulder and neck) but he did jump so it was a charge.

[Mike]

In the aftermath of the all the discussion surrounding head shots, I don't recall the NHL ever describing the "hitting zone". Apparently concussions don't happen here. Who knew? I wonder if this could be extrapolated to real life. Perhaps there are parts of the province where drinking and driving are allowed, a "drunk driving" zone? Or perhaps it's OK to shoot your neighbour if you live in a "shooting zone" if he mows his lawn too early on a Sunday morning.

Torres hit was as clear a headshot as I have seen. On video, it's easy to see that his shoulder caught Seabrooks head only. Seabrook was looking back for the puck and didn't jumpt to avoid the hit at all as he never saw it coming. Of course the NHL apologists will scream that he should have had his head up. I guess NHL players never need to look at the puck when receiving a pass.

With the NHL you DO know. They don't believe in consistency.

[Geoff Read]

The NHL is a joke and a laughingstock. I love hockey but I almost feel like boycotting its NHL incarnation - I just don't want to be supporting these buffoons with my viewership anymore.

[Ron]

Damien, keep writing about this crap but you may end up locked away because you will probably drive yourself insane. Until the knuckle draggers in the GM ranks, Hockey Ops and especially NHL headquarters come to grips with the fact that NO hit to the head is acceptable then the carnage will continue. What is it they can't see will all the medical information coming out on concussions. Do they really believe that getting a concussion in the NHL is not as bad as getting a concussion in the NFL where at least the league has taken steps to take head shots out of the game? Do they not see all the concussed players, some out for the year? Do they really care? I think the truth is in the last question I asked. They pretend but they do not care!!!!!! It is an easy fix but they don't have the stones to do it.

[othermark]

What would motivate the NHL to change it's position on head shots and make them all illegal? A legal slap on the wrist by a damaged player(s). One that cost every owner a fist full of dollars and sets a legal precedent that they all can understand. Until that happens, the brand of hockey they are selling is filling their coffers and they have no intention of killing the goose that laid the golden egg. Violence sells... they know it...and will milk it as long as they can. Just look at MMA.

[Conn Smythe]

'The NHL is a joke and a laughingstock. I love hockey but I almost feel like boycotting its NHL incarnation - I just don't want to be supporting these buffoons with my viewership anymore.' You took the words right out of my mouth. "Hitting Zone"? Are you kidding me? The government of Haiti is more transparent, ethical and organized than the NHL is. What a joke.

[Mark]

Over forty years ago, Wayne Maki of St. Louis got hauled into court for hitting Ted Green of Boston across the head with a stick. The case became part of the curriculum for first year criminal law courses in law school to illustrate the concepts of assault and self defense. Other cases have gone to court since then, as you know. The precedent is well established. Conduct beyond the rules of the game are not what players consent to and is no different than assaulting someone on the street. In my view, hits like Kunitz's are in that category. I say haul them into court, and lock them up for 30 days, or whatever, if found guilty. I'm tired of all this crap. The NHL isn't going to do squat unless somebody forces them to do so.

[KD]

Damien, I think you nailed it with your last few words: "With the NHL, you just never, ever know." I'm still trying to figure out the reasoning behind not suspending Torres for his hit on Seabrook. There's got to be something going on behind the scenes that isn't public knowledge.

[Raina]

One game each. Pathetic. When I saw that Kunitz hit, I thought maybe Cooke had thrown on his jersey and was playing in his place. Kunitz shouldn't even be allowed near the rink until the 2nd round. They might as well called them "hockey plays" and be done with it. Now they just cancel each other out, so no real punishment for the teams, just the players get an extra day of rest.

[othermark]

Sounds like 'mark' and 'othermark' agree! Take these morons to court (not just the players, but the league too) then see if they get the message. Tough hockey. Yes. Uncontrolled lunacy. No.

[Guelphdad]

NHL discipline is like US foreign policy, consistently inconsistent but in line with whatever works for them in that particular case.