A Proposal from Dirk Hoag (aka The Forechecker)

If given the choice between either a carry over penalty or a suspension, I’d ten times rather see a carryover penalty in this situation.

In my mind the only actions that are suspension-worthy at any time of the season, but particularly in the playoffs, are those that indicate a clear intent to injure another player or that show a flagrant disregard for another player’s safety. I’m thinking about Tie Domi ambushing Ulf Samuelsson, Marty McSorely chopping Donald Brashear and Todd Bertuzzi sucker punching Steve Moore.

Carry over penalties are a much better way of handling these non-intent, non-flagrant situations.

P.S. I can’t believe I actually cited the Domi takedown of Samuelsson. There was never a player in modern hockey I despised more than Samuelsson and I cheered like crazy when Domi sucker punched him, but there’s no doubt that was a clearly flagrant situation.

And therein lies the problem. Playoffs are “supposed” to use the same standards and rules as the regular season, so it would be a big hurdle to try to institute the rule to where it only applies within a playoff series.

That doesn’t change the fact that the current system is broken. There are rules in place that specifically dictate the punishment for fighting and instigating in the final 5 minutes of a game and after the final horn has sounded. So far, those punishments have largely been ignored.

As a long time stars fan I am not sure who IHate more the wings or the ducks. After last nights events its the Ducks,, I hope the wings use this to embarass the ducks tomorrow night. As much as I hate the wings, at least they have class, unlike the Unmighty Ducks. Just a bunch of sucks. Those guys wouldnt have done that had ANY other red Wing line been out there. Go Wings!! for at least one night.