Will Sutton face suspension for hit on Dupius?
Update: Sutton received a two-game suspension from the NHL today.
If you haven’t seen the hit yet (it’s been rolling on Sportscenter here in the States since the game ended), watch Andy Sutton drive Pascal Dupuis headfirst into the boards. Dupuis would leave the game with ‘facial injuries’, while Sutton was handed a five-minute major boarding call and a game misconduct.
Sutton deserves at least a 2-3 game suspension, because this was clearly a hit from behind, and Dupuis is lucky to be walking away without a broken neck. Sure, Pascal probably should have been prepared for the hit, and while he did park himself in a dangerous distance from the boards, there’s no reason for Andy Sutton to drive his elbow into the back of Dupius’ neck.
I’d really hate to see the NHL look the other way on this hit in the same way they did for Sergei Gonchar recently:
Again, it’s a shot from behind to the head of an opponent. It shouldn’t be tolerated, and it needs to be policed more strictly before a check like this ends someones career.
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OK sounds like he got what he deserved!
RT
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I really don’t like Dupuis, but I wouldn’t wish this on any player. Hitting a great part of contact sports, but players shouldn’t get away with blows to the head ever. This has been a hot topic with the NHL for years and currently with the NHL. Ending of their career is the least of the player’s worries in this situation.
As for Sutton, a two game suspension isn’t really enough of a punishment from the league. At least more games and a fine should be in order for any player no matter what the intent. I’m sure he didn’t mean to inflict the damage he did, but conditioning the players to make better decisions for checking is a step the league needs to take. Also, they should get rid of idiots like Steve Downie and Chris Thorburn.
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Props to Roloson for instantly realizing what happened and getting the trainer out there.
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