NHL Suspends Yet Another Flyer
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On Saturday, Rawbeezeitz profiled the vicious hit from behind laid on Patrice Bergeron by the Flyers Randy Jones. Bergeron laid unconscious on the ice for several minutesuntil he was carried off on a stretcher. He suffered a broken nose and a concussion. Jones apologized for the hit after the game.
After watching the video of the hit, I said that the hit was clearly from behind. It was not one of those situations where the player turned right before the hit. I certainly think it was a penalty and probably worthy of a five minute penalty and a game misconduct. While I didn't think it warranted a suspension, I theorized he could end up with a 1 or 2 game suspension in part because of the Flyers history in this season so far.
Turns out I was right. Today, the NHL suspended their third Flyer of the season, suspending Jones for 2 games. After reading ESPN's analysis, I have to say that I agree with everyone involved. First, I agree with Flyers GM Paul Holmgrem whose basic point was that this type of hit, while clearly deserving a major penalty, happens often in this game and has rarely resulted in such a suspension. The major factor here was the injury to Bergeron.
I also agree with Colin Campbell, the NHL disciplinarian who handed down the suspension because, as I said on Sunday, Jones should have known better. Bergeron was in a vulnerable position and Jones had plenty of time to process that fact and to adjust. You see it all the time. A player lines a guy up, sees he has his back turned, and lets up giving him a little shove instead of smashing him into the boards. This is exactly what Jones should have, and didn't do.
Finally. I agree with ESPN Analyst Scott Burnside who says that the Flyers have to held accountable for the fact that their players are seemingly out of control. There is no doubt in my mind that Jones is suffering the penalty for the fact that the season is barely 10 games old and a Flyer has now knocked out two players for a significant amount of time with illegal, regardless of intent, hits. Add to that the vicious stick assault of Ryan Kesler and the league is faced with a dilemna. Is it possible that these three incidents are simply coincidence, or are the Flyers being encouraged to this style of play?
Burnside suggests that it is the later and that the NHL has to take action against the team itself and the coach. I am not sure I go that far, but he does have a point. The Flyers have lost 3 guys whose contribution to the league and the Flyers is hard hitting, some good scraps, and very little in terms of offense. Meanwhile, the three players assaulted are all contributing or even important offensive producers. I query whether the league can take enough action against the Flyers to prevent someone going after Simon Gagne or Daniel Briere. Every team has a Jesse Boulerice type player that "finishes" his checks. I don't think the league would have much sympathy if the Flyers lost Briere for an indeterminate amount of time because the Flyers got a dose of their own medicine. But the NHL is trying to avoid the perception of the NHL as a renegade sport of blood, fights, and the occassional goal. Which is why they are trying to do more policing in Toronto and New York Offices and less allowing players to police themselves on the ice.
The Flyers are 7-3 and lead the Atlantic. They should be the story of this young NHL season. Instead, because their 3rd and 4th line players can't seem to play within the rules, the league, much to its own chagrin, has been forced to make this story about the 50 games worth of suspensions they have given 3 Flyers players for their eggregious violations of the rules. We should be talking about Daniel Briere, Simon Gagne and Marty Biron. Instead, we are left talking about Steve Downie, Jessie Boulerice and Randy Jones. We should be talking about slick passes, amazing goals and terrific saves. Instead we are talking about checks to the head, vicious stick assaults and dangerous checks from behind. Exactly what the NHL does not want, and exactly the reason why Randy Jones will be sitting out the next 2 games.
