NHL Confirms Decision on Juraj Slafkovsky: the Player Who Threw the Dirty Hit Has His Fate Confirmed
During the last game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Carolina Hurricanes, a particularly dangerous incident occurred towards the end of the third period. Slovak forward Juraj Slafkovsky received a solid check to the head from Stefan Noesen.
See the check in question:
Although he avoided the worst, appearing able to continue playing, the Canadiens' number 20 missed the rest of the third period, having to follow the NHL's concussion protocol.
The CH forward was notably furious, not understanding why he had been forced to leave the game. He wanted to help his teammates try to tie the game, not undergo medical tests.
Unfortunately for Montreal fans, who were hoping to see the Hurricanes' forward suspended, the NHL's official verdict has just come down. Despite clear head contact and Noesen's apparent lack of intention to play the puck, no penalty will be imposed.
This is all the more surprising as the NHL continually tries to reduce the number of hits to the head. Seeing such an act go unpunished certainly sends a strong message across the league, indicating that sanctions will be very minimal, if not non-existent.
"The NHL's disciplinary committee must do the right thing and punish Noesen here. At some point, you have to choose a side. Either you are against hits to the head, or you are okay with them. There can be no grey area. Enough is enough!" - Jimmy Murphy
Evidently, George Parros and the NHL continue to be ridiculed with such a decision. The fact that the Hurricanes' forward, Stefan Noesen, doesn't even have to explain his actions speaks volumes about the process set up by the disciplinary committee.
Nevertheless, the league has made its decision and has chosen not to take disciplinary action.
| POLL |
30 DECEMBRE | 265 ANSWERS NHL Confirms Decision on Juraj Slafkovsky: the Player Who Threw the Dirty Hit Has His Fate Confirmed Should Noesen have been suspended? |
| Yes | 216 | 81.5 % |
| No | 49 | 18.5 % |
| LIST OF POLLS |
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