San Jose Sharks forward Micheal Haley has been given a one game suspension for the punch he delivered to Nashville Predators forward Calle Jarnkrok in Saturday night’s game. While Haley is known for his tough play, in this instance he went over the edge after Jarnkrok sent him face first into the glass from behind.
The video released from the NHL Department of Player Safety explains the suspension:
It is important to note that while Jarnkrok did hit Haley before this altercation, Haley’s response is in no way permitted or excusable. Haley acknowledges that he was seeking retribution for the hit thrown by Jarnkrok seconds earlier, which was already being penalized by the on-ice officials.
Haley forcefully punches a player who is off-balance, not engaged in the confrontation and not even looking when the punch was thrown.
Though Haley has always been a fighter and is known for his physical game, he had never been fined or suspended by the National Hockey League. He has however been suspended in the AHL previously, an interesting omission from the league standpoint.
I may be a bit biased because I am an Islanders fan and this play by Haley does seem more dangerous but isn’t it somewhat similar to David Pastrnak’s retaliatory hit/punch to Stephen Gionta in the Islanders-Bruins game on Saturday night? Again I might be biased and I want to Bruins to lose a few games down the stretch here but I’m wondering why Pastrnak got away with it
Because he’s not know for that and it was the first time he’s done aniline I’m sure he got a call be it was as bad as this play was