Namestnikov catches Gaudreau with a high hit; suspension incoming?
Early the first period of game 4 between the Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars, Johnny Gaudreau made an attempt to play the puck in the Dallas zone. Just after the puck left his stick he was caught with a blindside hit to the head by Vladislav Namestnikov. Gaudreau was visibly shaken up on the play and needed some help off the ice. Johnny Hockey would head ot the dressing room immediately, but came back soon after.
Namestnikov was penalized for 2 minutes for an illegal check to the head on the play. A hit like that is nothing short of predatory. Blindside hits like that aren't "tough" or "playoff hockey" they're cheap shots, through and through. Hits like that have no place in hockey, and honestly, Namestnikov is very lucky he wasn't made to answer for it. Although, as of this writing, the game isn't over yet.
Given the spotty history of the DOPS, its anyone's guess as to what punishment will be handed down, if any. To me, this is worth a game. Its a blindside hit, there is significant head contact. There's also the fact that this was a hit on one of the NHL's star players. Something that shouldn't matter, but often does. We'll have to wait and see what George Parros has to say about this one.
| POLL | ||
MAI 10 | 160 ANSWERS Namestnikov catches Gaudreau with a high hit; suspension incoming? Is this hit worthy of suspension? | ||
| No, keep your head up | 62 | 38.8 % |
| Yeah, a game or two | 53 | 33.1 % |
| Maybe a fine | 45 | 28.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
