The Winnipeg Jets have every right to be angry that one of their most important players is going to miss the next four games. But that anger should be directed entirely at Dustin Byfuglien, who committed a stupid and malicious act against a defenceless opponent. If anything, the team should be thankful the NHL’s Department of Player Safety limited the suspension to four games.
The case for the suspension, as laid out by Player Safety, is as follows:
“The threat of Miller getting another scoring chance clearly has passed, and he is ineligible to be hit in any way,” states the video. “Byfuglien not only delivers an illegal blow, he does so with excessive force to an unprotected and vulnerable part of Miller’s upper body.”
If anything, that’s an understatement. On the list of things the NHL would like to see removed from the game, the act of hitting a prone opponent with a stick in the head/neck area has to be up near the top. Asked his opinion of Byfuglien’s cross-check after the game against Winnipeg, New York coach Alain Vigneault didn’t hold back in his co ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Jonathan Willis
Dustin Byfuglien and Winnipeg Jets Getting Off Easy with 4-Game Suspension
April 2nd, 2015 by Jonathan Willis Leave a reply »
Advertisement