The Department of Player Safety has handed out some hefty punishment, suspending Columbus Blue Jackets forward Nick Foligno three games for his hit on Colorado Avalanche forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. As the accompanying video explains:
It is important to note that Foligno is in control of this contact. This is an attempted body check, and cannot be classified as excusable or accidental contact where Foligno raises his arm reflexively to brace for sudden contact or to attempt to avoid a collision. If he wants to deliver this hit, the onus is on Foligno to ensure that he takes an angle of approach that puts him in a position to make a legal, full-body check.
Foligno has not been suspended previously in his 858-game NHL career, which was taken into account in the sentencing. Still, the Blue Jackets will be without their captain for the next three games.
Bellemare meanwhile suffered a concussion on the play and is out indefinitely for the Avalanche, who are dealing with several other injuries up front already.
Well deserved suspension.
3?? That’s it?!?
Pathetic
Considering the inconsistent nature of the NHL and it’s discipline. Is this his first suspension? That fact apparently does not matter considering how they have viewed. repeat offenders and do not necessarily give tougher suspensions. They probably considered it over 3 games because he was ejected with over a period left .I agree that it should have been for a rew bor.
Foligno is no Tom Wilson, but 3 games for a deliberate elbow is light. If the NHL wants players to leave the game with intact brains, no head shots can be tolerated. High-sticking with an elbow is particularly hazardous, delivered at high speed as this was. If the suspension is 3 games without pay, perhaps an additional stiff fine to increase financial pain to an offender would do more to prevent recurrences. How many times has Wilson been suspended since the last one cost him something in the range of $900,000?