The Guru

Entries tagged as ‘Mike Van Ryn’

Ruutu out for just two?

November 13, 2008 · Leave a Comment

The hit that Ottawa Senators forward Jarkko Ruutu laid on Canadiens spark plug Maxime Lapierre, was given a two (2) game suspension. Two games for an intentional hit to the head, and a raised elbow all while his team was down 4-0 against one of the leagues premeire teams. When Tom Kostopoulos(TK) hit Leafs defenceman Mike Van Ryn from behind, people all over the league cried foul. TK was suspended three (3) games for his hit, which left Van Ryn beaten and bruised, and out of action for a month. If you look closely at the hit, Van Ryn turned his shoulder and turned towards the boards, after TK commited to the hit. Meaning, that TK was not at fault. So this means that the NHL is handing down punishments not on intent, or action but on result. What i want Colin Campbell to explain, is howcome a hit that the NHL recognized as one with intent to injure gets a game less than one that was a fluke? Apparently they only see blood, not what led to the blood. Which is unfortunate, because they seem to hand out more and more unwarranted suspensions every year, while completely missing out or shortening the suspension terms on the ones that “do not draw blood.” The NHL needs to come to the realisation that blood also comes from nosebleeds, not just hits and that sometimes people are attacked, but suffer no injuries and for those who aren’t in criminology class, its still considered an assault.

Categories: Ottawa Senators · Uncategorized
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