The Department of Player Safety took a lot of heat for their decision to not suspend Tom Wilson yesterday, but that won’t stop them from moving forward with other supplementary discipline. The league has announced that Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere will have a hearing today for his hit on Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Mark Friedman last night.
The incident occurred with a few minutes left in the game just as Friedman slid home an empty-net goal. The Penguins player turned away from the net, and Gostisbehere delivered a cross-check that sent Friedman sliding into the boards at a high speed. A scrum ensued, and it looks like Gostisbehere will earn more than just the two-minute minor he was assessed on the play.
Obviously, any decision the DoPS makes today will be scrutinized even more than normal, but the two incidents don’t have anything to do with each other. In the eyes of the league, this was a dangerous play by Gostisbehere that is deserving of a harsh penalty. The Flyers have three games remaining on the schedule.
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Love the responses to the Tweet announcing this from the NHL Dept of Player Safety. Just about every one was like “Ok, good, Gotisbehere deserves a hearing but why no hearing for Wilson whose actions were far worse.?” Glad the Rangers sent out their letter to the NHL to the public. Between that latter and the fan outrage over no hearing being leveled directly at the league on social media by the fans may actually do something to stop actions such as Wilson’s actions.
One team is in the playoffs and the other one is not. So if Philadelphia incurs a suspension after Wilson does not that says a lot. They play each other twice before year end so the league is opening themselves up to implications of no consistency at a minimum.
That box has been open for decades. The NHL is well known for it’s inconsistency. In fact, the only thing consistent with the NHL is it’s inconsistency…..They are freaking so bad…..
Show of hands, guys. Who among you would LOVE to hear this – “After further review…it has been determined…that Tom Wilson WILL get a 10-game suspension! And Gostisbehere will get 3!” (in your finest Wes McCauley voice)
Would love to hear that but……………………..Would turn blue and pass out holding my breath waiting to hear it….
Crosby and Konecny both probably deserve a fine or 1 game suspension for their antics. But I guess Konecny got Crosby and Crosby got him back so it is okay in the world view of DoPS?
That’s a suspension in your eyes?
clearly the DoPS will deem this a dive and fine Shayne $1000
I recall thinking this was a dirty play and the Pens were right to get in Gostibehere’s face afterwards.
Don’t remember thinking that DoPS needed to get into it.
Tom Wilson, OTOH…
I have no problem with a suspension for Shayne if all matters were treated equally. Seems the NHL wants to help the Capitols finish in first. I am sure they would sweep the Flyers either way but it smells of hypocrisy