This
was a very good call by the NHL's Department of Player Safety, this is an
illegal check to the head. That fact that there wasn’t a penalty called on the
play is a head scratcher. I didn't think Jesse Winchester would get three game for this bush league hit, but I applaud the
decision. Players have got to eventually get the message that cannot make these
hits anymore, it's no longer acceptable to do this. There was no reason
for Jesse Winchester to hit Chris Kelly in this situation, he's better off to let him go.
NEW YORK -- Florida Panthers forward Jesse Winchester has been suspended for three games, without pay, for elbowing Boston Bruins forward Chris Kelly during NHL Game No. 230 in Boston on Thursday, November 7, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced today.
Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Winchester will forfeit $9,230.76. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
The incident occurred at 4:52 of the first period. No penalty was assessed on the play.
I love hard hitting hockey, I love a good fight, but this
crap by Florida Panthers forward Jesse Winchester. This is a dirty hit, the Florida forward throws a dirty chicken wing elbow on Boston Bruin's
forward Chris Kelly. Come
on! I believe dirty hits like this should cause a player to miss a minimum of
one game. This should be an automatic suspension with what we know about
concussions and head injuries. There no excuse for this crap.
There
no excusing this hit. If a player has to lunge to make contact to hit another
player, let them go. It was a dirty elbow. In my opinion, the refs blew this
call.
Later
in the game, Jesse Winchester would pay for his bush league hit by having to
fight Bruins middle weight Gregory
Campbell. Gregory Campbell with the decision in the fight.
Here's a great read by
Joe McDonald of ESPN Boston...
ESPN Boston: HEAD SHOT: The Bruins' Chris Kelly was on the receiving end of an elbow to the head by Winchester early in the first period. Winchester left his feet and caught Kelly in the head with the blow. Kelly remained on the ice for a moment and was tended to by team trainer Donnie DelNegro before skating off the ice and going to the locker room. Kelly seemed dazed but quickly returned to action. No penalty was called on Winchester, but the Bruins' Gregory Campbell took care of business when he dropped the gloves with Winchester on the ensuing shift.
