I imagine that anyone who cares has seen the video of Shawn Thornton attacking Brooks Orpik this past weekend. For a quick recap though, after play had stopped, Thornton came up behind Orpik, pulled him to the ice and started pummeling his head against the ice before Orpik had any chance to defend himself. Other players immediately called for medical staff and he left on a stretcher.
Hockey is a physical sport and a whole lot of violence is handled within the rules of the game, but I think at some point a suspension or fine really doesn't fit.
There is some precedent for players facing criminal charges for crossing the line on the ice. Both Marty McSorley and Todd Bertuzzi faced criminal charges for assault for their on ice incidents.
Even in that very same play, there were other very dirty actions taken by other players, but this is different. There are cheap shots that happen during the course of play, and then there is just a full on attack and attempt to seriously injure a player well outside the normal course of play.
What do you guys think?
Brooks Orpik Scary Injury After Sucker Punch by Shawn Thornton (12/7/13) - YouTube
Hockey is a physical sport and a whole lot of violence is handled within the rules of the game, but I think at some point a suspension or fine really doesn't fit.
There is some precedent for players facing criminal charges for crossing the line on the ice. Both Marty McSorley and Todd Bertuzzi faced criminal charges for assault for their on ice incidents.
Even in that very same play, there were other very dirty actions taken by other players, but this is different. There are cheap shots that happen during the course of play, and then there is just a full on attack and attempt to seriously injure a player well outside the normal course of play.
What do you guys think?
Brooks Orpik Scary Injury After Sucker Punch by Shawn Thornton (12/7/13) - YouTube