Post by zambonidriver on Sept 19, 2008 23:27:44 GMT -4
This has already been discussed a bit. We can thank the leagues new fighting rules for the fact no one attones for their actions anymore. We drop the gloves there and fight Despres and he doesn't, our guys looking at 15 game suspension while Despres still does his two minutes and goes about his way.
Like its been said already, be prepared to see more cheap shots with no fear that anything will happen. They will get their minor penalty but no one will hunt them down cause it's too costly (up to or more than 15 games)
But it's already a trend in Moncton. Given some of the talk about Jordan Lane's position on the team (fringe player, not-so-great skating, etc), why would it be a bad thing to send him after someone to test the league's commitment to the rules and the definitions of aggressor and instigator? For all we know, you'd have to commit aggravated assault in order to get the 15-gamer...
I'm sure Jordan himself wouldn't want to be the guinea pig, but in my opinion, the situation called for a lot more retaliation than Despres got.
Despres would have gotten more out of the retaliation if he didn't go turtle right away and have the officials step in to protect him.
But I think that you are absolutely right though.
I think it has already become a trend and not just in Moncton but around the league. Just have a look at how many cheap shots there now are, the resulting penalty, and was there any retaliation.
Players are starting to cheap shot other players more and more. Cheap shot another player, possibly end his playing career and sit out for 2 mins.
The punishment for retaliation is harse and players are reluctant to put themselves out of the game for such a long time. The rules seem to be very clear.
Absolutely, there is a trend.