After a hearing earlier today, the decision has come down from the NHL Department of Player Safety and Alex Chiasson has received a one-game suspension. The Edmonton Oilers forward exchanged words with Toronto Maple Leafs counterpart Jimmy Vesey after the final whistle on Monday night but took the skirmish too far with a cross-check to the head area. Chiasson technically received a major penalty and misconduct, but served neither with the game over. The league justly ruled that he thus deserved additional discipline:
Chiasson raises his stick, pulls it back, and delivers a sharp check to the neck of Vesey. This is a cross-check… What elevates this play to supplemental discipline is the fact that it is done after the game is over and for no legitimate hockey reason. This is not a hockey play. This is a forceful, high cross-check delivered to an opponent after the game has ended.
Player Safety does note that Chiasson has no previous history of league discipline, having never received a fine or suspension in his nine-year, 536-game career. This was likely a significant factor in Chiasson’s blatant post-game penalty not rising to the level of a multi-game suspension.
The Oilers will now be without Chiasson for Wednesday night’s re-match with the Leafs, the third straight game between the two teams. After losing the first two of this in-season series, shut out in both, Edmonton will have to try to right the ship without the help of Chiasson. Fortunately, Chiasson hasn’t been a key factor in the Oilers’ success this season anyhow; the 30-year-old has just seven points and has struggled to get shots on goal and create offense. Chiasson cleared waivers earlier this season, implying Edmonton was okay with losing him for nothing – a scenario they now face on Wednesday.
“What elevates this play to supplemental discipline is the fact that it is done after the game is over and for no legitimate hockey reason.”
When is there ever a legitimate hockey reason for cross checking someone in the neck/head? poor choice of words from the league.
@Againigan – You weren’t the only one shaking his head at that one! Apparently a legit reason by Parros & Co. would be if certain players dished that out to the opposition’s net-front presence guy. You know, “clearing the blue paint” of a “Ne’er-do-well”…
Chiasson has never been suspended before and he took a game misconduct once the game was over is the reasoning. By their (NHLDoS) ruling they are stating it would have been worthy of a fine for a first time offender, but because it was a game misconduct after the game had concluded, it was worthy of a 1 game suspension.
Most Oiler fans are glad he is forced out for a game, wish it was more.
Watch the video, it was a punch to the side of the head while still holding his stick. Not a cross check to the head/neck. Nothing serious.
Hope Vesey is ok, but this was not an intent to injure. 2 guys chirping at the whistle. One guy went a little overboard.