Jelly Gets a Raw Deal from NHL
I’m back to address the awful decision handed down by the NHL to suspend Niklas Hjalmarsson two games for what was clearly NOT a dirty hit on Sabres’ Jason Pominville. (In this case, kudos should also go to Jonathan Toews, who, as ever, was first to rush in and defend his boys. Clearly he too did not think the ensuing mêlée was merited by Jelly’s hit.)
So, as they say, let’s go to the film.
Despite the commentators in the above YouTube video obviously stumping for a suspension and purposely not seeing what was right in front of them in a slow-mo, slow-frame replay, this was NOT a dirty hit from behind. It was a side hit, and probably a hard one, but Hjalmarsson didn’t even throw an elbow, again, despite what commentators were saying (and the commentators are suspect in this case because they knew that, upon review, the NHL would hear their comments and be swayed by them). (more…)