Raffi Torres of the Phoenix Coyotes got a two game suspension for an illegal charge.
Link to video
This is the third game in a row where the Department of Player Safety looked at hits to the head from Torres (following a $2500 fine from the previous game).
The video does give a better look at the hit. Originally, it appeared that this would be a Rule 48 violation for a hit to the head. But the rule states that "the head must be targeted and the principle point of contact." While the head is certainly hit, it was not the principle point of contact. It also doesn't look like there is enough proof to say the head was targeted. Yes, the skates leave the ice. But the hands and elbow remain down at the moment of impact. I would say an extended elbow, a sweeping movement up with the hands (cross-checking style, like Engelland) or more obvious shoulder lead would sway me into believing he was targeting the head. As it stands, he appeared to hit his opponent with all of his body. But by leaping off the ice, it caused the head to be significantly hit as well.
That's how the NHL sees it and I completely agree. Charging (Rule 42) says you can't leave your feet. If Torres had just left his feet and made contact with the body, this would probably just be another charging penalty. But the head was contacted. Therein lies the rub and the concern of Shanahan.
So, is two games fair? Too much? Not enough?
Sutton was given eight games for an illegal charge. So why only two here? Well, Sutton has a much more extensive history of leaving his feet. While Torres has some run-ins, this one is different from some previous ones. Suttons are all very similar to each other. Sutton also left the ice to a much greater degree and launched his opponent into the boards, not in open ice like Torres. Sutton has also already been suspended before during the current (Shanahan) season.
So eight is too much according to precidence. But Cole was suspended three games. Why not three like him or Engelland? Again, the head was hit by Torres, but not the principle point of contact like Cole or targeted like Engelland.
How about the Fistric suspension? That was three games and there was no prior history for a hit of this kind. And it was for charging, leaving the feet, just like Torres, right?
Sorta. Fistric left his feet significantly more than Torres. And the victim of Fistric's check received a concussion as a result of the blow.
I believe we are starting to see precidence being set in the NHL. I think that there is some consistency starting to form, at least in the area of suspensions. Yes, there are still some plays that make one scratch their head as to why the NHL didn't do anything. But when they do issue the suspensions, there is a consistant reason.
One last thing to ponder. Shanahan mentions three incidents in three games that Department of Player Safety looked at. In order, there was nothing, a fine, and a two game suspension. But we never saw any official evidence from the League at the time. There were sources saying there wouldn't be a hearing, but nothing official.
Some theorize that the beating that McQuaid gave Torres after the penalty was punishment enough; one of the unwritten rules of the game that meant that Shanahan shouldn't have been involved, particularly because there was no injury on the play.
Again, I do wish there was a bit more transparency from the Department of Player Safety because it would give us fans more faith that the League actually looks at things and cares. As I've said it before, but I don't think that will happen because fans always want more than the League gives when it comes to anything. There have been a lot of suspensions this season, and we constantly question why there aren't more. If we get more explanations on non-fines and non-suspensions, it won't be long before we start demanding explanations on every single hit. It would be non-productive. Still, the occassional video on why a hit was didn't merit further discipline, I feel, would be a good thing.
Don't get me wrong; I am thrilled with the videos. If there is a suspension, there is no question where the NHL is coming from.
