The fallout from today’s game between the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning was imposed by the NHL, and I have to say, I’m shocked. It’s not because of the fines or the suspensions given on either side, but it’s because there was a significant suspension that wasn’t given for what was a clear rule violation on Saturday night. I understand the NHL wasn’t happy with the in-state rivals playing the game on Saturday, specifically singling out a team for the roster that was dressed, but to ignore a clear suspension for what went down that night seems absolutely baffling. However, I don’t work for or advise the NHL’s Department of Player Safety on their matters, so what I think at this point is disputed, despite the rule being as clear as day. Let’s get into this statement.
The NHL announced today that Tampa Bay Lightning Scott Sabourin and Lightning defenseman JJ Moser would both be suspended with Sabourin serving a four-game break while Moser will be forced to sit two games. Sabourin played all 19 seconds on Saturday before receiving a match penalty for his aggressive hit on Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad, and Moser was given a game misconduct after committing a boarding pass on Jesper Boqvist.
Dangerous plays should warrant stiff penalties, so I have no problem with the NHL sending a message that the type of plays by both Sabourin and Moser were unacceptable. As a result of their indiscretions, Sabourin will lose $16,145.84, while Moser will forfeit $35,156.26 to the NHL for the amount of time they are suspended for. If someone does stupid things, they lose a lot of money.
The NHL also sent a strong message to the Tampa Bay Lightning and to head coach Jon Cooper after the Lightning recalled six Syracuse players prior to the game. Five of the six players in the game received penalties of ten minutes or longer, and those six totaled 77 penalty minutes in the match. As a result, Lightning was fined $100,000 and Cooper took a $25,000 hit to the wallet for the roster that was iced on Saturday. Again, do stupid things, lose money.
In total, the back-to-back games between the Panthers and Lightning on Friday and Saturday saw a total of 114 penalties called, resulting in 498 penalty minutes. Talk all you want about a rivalry, but those numbers are ridiculous and the NHL was having none of it.
And that brings us to Niko Mikkola, who returned to the bench and back to the ice on Saturday after being assessed a game misconduct. As I wrote in the linked article, the NHL rulebook is very clear about players returning to the bench or ice after being sent to the locker room in rule 70-10 and the penalty for breaking said rule should a player violate it. Niko Mikkola of Florida broke that rule.
Somehow, today’s NHL announcement saw the Florida Panthers and Niko Mikkola escape any punishment despite Mikkola Breaking Rule 70-10! I’m baffled as to how this could happen, but it appears the NHL believes there was a miscommunication between officials and the Florida Panthers bench regarding the penalties called at the 4:01 mark of the third period that is hard to believe when you see this clip of the penalty announcements by Referee Jean Hebert.
It was clear that the Tampa Bay players heard the announcement as Bjorkstrand headed down the tunnel, but the Panthers and Mikkola both missed Hebert’s number to call the game misconduct? That’s hard to believe, but it looks like the NHL is going with that justification.
I’ve been wrong before, I’ll definitely be wrong again, but I’m struggling with this one, I’m wrong when it’s so obvious that Mikkola should be suspended for returning to the ice. Whatever the reasons for the NHL not enforcing this rule are up to the league brass, but it is inexplicable to me how Mikkola avoided a suspension. I guess that’s why I’m not part of the Department of Player Safety.
Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!
#Throw #rulebook