The Department of Player Safety has come down hard on Vegas Golden Knights forward Chandler Stephenson, issuing him a three-game suspension for elbowing Los Angeles Kings defenseman Tobias Bjornfot last night. As the accompanying video explains:
It is important to note that while we accept Stephenson’s arguement that he did not attempt to hit Bjornfot in the head, this is not a case where a blow to an opponent’s torso or shoulder rides up and makes subsequent or glancing contact with his head. This is a direct and forceful elbow to an opponent’s head which caused an injury.
Bjornfot did not return to the game and is doubtful for the Kings game tomorrow. Stephenson has not been fined or suspended previously in his career and did receive both a major penalty and a game misconduct for the incident, but was still given a hefty ban today.
He’ll miss games against the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues over the next few days, two teams chasing the Golden Knights in the West Division standings.
Again – no consistency. By this logic, McDavid should have got a game for his heat seeking elbow on Kotkaniemi. The result of Stephenson’s hit was worse but it wasn’t as late as McDavid’s or as obvious an attempt to injure either.
Nailed it!!!
George Paros is NOT Qualified to make an adequate analysis of infractions with the NHL Dept of Player Safety. He like most Goons would not know the difference. Do what I say not what I do BS.! It’s a complete Farce just like Video Review.. Joke of the Sport!
Big Mac is gonna beat the childhood memories out of him next time they meet. Deservingly so.
Not much chance of that! Waste of time and no point! If anything it will be Reaves as the target of McDermid or Brendan Lemieux for Kings…as it should be!
That makes no sense. Yes, Reaves is their enforcer but Stephenson needs to answer the bell. I could see Lemieux handling this only due to the weight class. No reason for reaves and Big Mac to go over this one. That will happen eventually tho.
Yet another example of inequitable application of the “rules.” Historically clean player gets 3 because he’s not a superstar, household name, allowing the DPS to tout its toughness.
You could not be more correct! And so it continues to be mindless tomfoolery! Let’s just get a real crybaby in Player Safety to meet out punishment…Super Stars get everything their way and the rest is a Joke! There is no parity in applying the rules…never was, never will be!
I know any elbow hit to head is bad and this one is probably alot worse then Tom Wilson’s boarding call AKA the joke call and for the McDavid call a superstar can not be taken out of games …look at Ovie’s spear. That should of been 1 game for sure..