In the second half of November, the harshest penalty of this NHL season was handed down. Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves will miss five games and lose tens of thousands of dollars in salary.
Photo: Claus Andersen / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP / Profimedia
Toronto forward Ryan Reaves shortly after attacking Edmonton defender Darnell Nurse.
However, there is speculation overseas as to whether he would deserve an even bigger punishment if he were to return to the ice before the victim of his hard tackle, Edmonton’s Darnell Nurse. In addition, Reaves will also lose $35,156.
The 23rd minute of the match between Toronto and Edmonton was running. The guests won 2:1, Nurse delivered the puck from behind his own goal. Reaves rushed at him like lightning and knocked him to the ground mercilessly. The referee did not hesitate and awarded the Toronto striker a penalty for five minutes plus until the end of the game.
The entire case was also dealt with by the NHL’s Player Safety Department, which decided to award the Canadian hockey player the harshest punishment this season.
Among the main points of the indictment according to the department was the fact that the main point of contact was the head of the defender Nursa. Reaves had plenty of time to avoid him, and it was also a repeat, as he had already been suspended three times and fined twice in the past. In addition, he injured his opponent, but it is not yet known for how long.
However, the Toronto hockey players stood up for their teammate Reaves. “It’s an unfortunate situation. From what I know of him, he has no plans to hurt anyone,” Matthew Knies said, according to Sportsnet.
“The guys are playing hard. I don’t think he was trying to hit it that high. He simply plays hard, tries to get to the puck and win the hockey game. Sometimes you hit a guy the wrong way,” added colleague Bobby McMann.
In the overseas media, however, there were considerations as to whether Reaves should have received an even higher punishment, as there is a risk that he will be back on the ice earlier than the victim of his intervention, Darnell Nurse.
In an article for Sportsnet, overseas journalist Luke Fox cited the example of Tanner Jeannot, who received a three-game suspension this year, came back from it and scored the game-winning goal against Detroit.
On the other hand, Vancouver Canucks star Brock Boeser, who was injured by Jeannot, is still out and has already missed five games — two more than the player who caused the situation.
Source: sportweb.pravda.sk
