Bruins Milan Lucic has been suspended for 1 game for his boarding major on Satutday against the Flyers Zac Rinaldo. If you haven't seen the hit yet, watch it below.
Here is the video of Brendan Shanahan and his explanation of the Lucic suspension.
You can see in the video that Rinaldo turns at the last second for the hit to be shoulder-on-shoulder. If Rinaldo did not turn then it would have been a hit from behind. But we all know what this suspension is for. This is a make-up suspension for the non-suspension Lucic got for his collision with Sabres Ryan Miller. Shanahan received so much hate on him after the non-suspension that he probably felt hey I'll suspend him this time and hope to quiet down those Buffalo fans.
Even Flyers Zac Rinaldo, you know the guy who got hit, says it was a shoulder-to-shoulder hit.
Props to Rinaldo for being honest and you know not saying he has a concussion or some type of injury just to get Lucic suspended.
Milan Lucic boards Zac Rinaldo
Here is the video of Brendan Shanahan and his explanation of the Lucic suspension.
"In spite of the fact that Lucic sees Rinaldo’s numbers in proximity to the boards, Lucic delivers a dangerous check from behind," Shanahan said in a video clip on the web site. "Rinaldo makes no sudden movements just prior to or simultaneous with the hit that contributes to making this an illegal check. Therefore, the onus is on Lucic to avoid this hit completely or, at the very least, minimize it to a greater degree."
"Instead, Lucic follows through with his check, driving Rinaldo high and hard into the glass. While this hit is not particularly egregious, it is illegal. However, the overriding factor in elevating this check from behind from a penalty on the ice to a suspension is his history of similar infractions, warnings and a fine. We've taken into account that Rinaldo suffered no apparent injury as a result of this hit."
Source
You can see in the video that Rinaldo turns at the last second for the hit to be shoulder-on-shoulder. If Rinaldo did not turn then it would have been a hit from behind. But we all know what this suspension is for. This is a make-up suspension for the non-suspension Lucic got for his collision with Sabres Ryan Miller. Shanahan received so much hate on him after the non-suspension that he probably felt hey I'll suspend him this time and hope to quiet down those Buffalo fans.
Even Flyers Zac Rinaldo, you know the guy who got hit, says it was a shoulder-to-shoulder hit.
"It's hockey, you hit and go into the boards, I don't think it was dirty at all," Rinaldo said. "Shoulder-to-shoulder and just momentum. He's big guy, maybe double my weight. His momentum carried him into the boards awkwardly. I don't think it was dirty at all."
He added: "Should–to-shoulder, that's fine, that's cool. I don't mind it at all."
Source
Props to Rinaldo for being honest and you know not saying he has a concussion or some type of injury just to get Lucic suspended.
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