The Randy Jones 2-game suspension for his cheap shot hit on Bruins' Patrice Bergeron is ridiculous, stupid, a disgrace to hockey, and a joke. I agree with Stephen Harris' article and I don't know why Colin Campbell can make suspension calls on what the outcome of hits leave an injured player. Meaning if a player is seriously hurt, such as Flyers' Steve Downie's vicious hit on Dean McAmmond which got him 20 games, then Downie gets suspended for a good amount of games. But if the player is not seriously hurt then there isn't much of a suspension. But Bergeron was seriously injured and Jones only gets 2 games?
The NHL says publicly that they want to protect their star players. Patrice Bergeron may not be the All-Star 100 point a season player yet, but he is a young and talented star for the league. He plays the game right and is a very nice person that does good for the game on the ice and off the ice. I don't know how many times I've heard of him doing things for charity. So what this suspension says to me is that the NHL thinks that since Bergeron is not paralyzed or dead it's not a serious injury. Or they think that it wasn't that bad a hit.
Also, to read about how the Philadelphia Flyers' organization, players, and even Jones were acting and saying before they heard the condition of Bergeron. From the article:
I agree with Ward's comments and with Julien's comments. The Flyers' organization is more concerned with their player rather than a player who was seriously injured. The Flyers are an embarrassment to hockey, now with 3 players suspended. Steve Downie was suspended because of a leaping hit to the head of Senators' Dean McAmmond which left him with a consussion; Jesse Boulerice was suspended for a cross check to Canucks' Ryan Kesler in the face with his stick; and now Jones. The Flyers' should be fine without Jones as he's not much of a player anyways. He's more of a 7th or 8th defenseman on a good team.
In case you haven't seen the hit, below is a YouTube video of it.
The NHL says publicly that they want to protect their star players. Patrice Bergeron may not be the All-Star 100 point a season player yet, but he is a young and talented star for the league. He plays the game right and is a very nice person that does good for the game on the ice and off the ice. I don't know how many times I've heard of him doing things for charity. So what this suspension says to me is that the NHL thinks that since Bergeron is not paralyzed or dead it's not a serious injury. Or they think that it wasn't that bad a hit.
Also, to read about how the Philadelphia Flyers' organization, players, and even Jones were acting and saying before they heard the condition of Bergeron. From the article:
There is disgrace in this for the NHL and for the Flyers, who tried to put a positive spin on Jones' hit almost before Bergeron was in the ambulance. Incredibly, Jones, who Saturday night said he feared Bergeron's injuries might be life-threatening, said Monday he was disappointed to have been suspended for two games.
A more honorable man would have come out and said he got off too easily for an incredibly stupid and reckless act.
"One reason I have a tough time with this," said Bruins defenseman Aaron Ward, "is that even before Bergy had been diagnosed, Philly was already trying hard to get their side of the story out. Spinning? Absolutely. It should have been, 'Let's find out how badly hurt he is,' before they're worrying about what their punishment is going to be."
Bruins coach Claude Julien also was miffed by the Flyers' response.
"They seem to be disappointed that they lost a guy for two games," said Julien. "I'm extremely disappointed knowing I lost my player for I don't know how long, and we're talking about a key player here."
I agree with Ward's comments and with Julien's comments. The Flyers' organization is more concerned with their player rather than a player who was seriously injured. The Flyers are an embarrassment to hockey, now with 3 players suspended. Steve Downie was suspended because of a leaping hit to the head of Senators' Dean McAmmond which left him with a consussion; Jesse Boulerice was suspended for a cross check to Canucks' Ryan Kesler in the face with his stick; and now Jones. The Flyers' should be fine without Jones as he's not much of a player anyways. He's more of a 7th or 8th defenseman on a good team.
In case you haven't seen the hit, below is a YouTube video of it.
Bergeron gets hit from behind by Jones
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