What's Good For The Goose Is Good For The Gander

Matt Bodenschatz | National Hockey League

Jan 23, 11:29 AM | Hype this story!

Last night, Atlanta Thrashers forward Ilya Kovalchuk was issued a five minute major penalty and a game misconduct for his hit from behind on New York Rangers defenseman Michael Rozsival.

Because of the penalty and suspension, the play is under automatic league review for suspension.

The play is deserving of at least five games, as Kovalchuk clearly had no regard for his opposition’s well-being.

If this was Steve Downie, Chris Simon or any other punk who took the penalty, the ramifications likely would be harsh. The same standard should be applied for superstars.

And, in my opinion, if he is suspended and the suspension runs through the All Star game, he should be forced to miss it — though I suppose, for many players, that would be a reward, not a punishment.

But, because the All Star game is so close, and because Kovalchuk is one of the most skilled players in the world, the likelihood of him getting a suspension this week are slim to none, as the league won’t want the black eye that surely would be suffered.

Comments

  1. DaBich

    Jan 23, 11:50 AM

    Screw the black eye. Dish it out, fair is fair. He obviously had no regard for Rozsival (not that I care for Rozsival), who had no idea he was about to be hit.

    Like you said, if it had been say, Downie, the suspension would be automatic.

  2. Ashley Gallant

    Jan 23, 06:18 PM

    I agree that he should be suspended, regardless of whether the ASG is this weekend or not. However, considering all of the injuries to the All-Star players, and the fact that the game is in Atlanta, I think the NHL will turn a blind eye to this incident. It’s really unfortunate because all it does is reinforce the idea that star players get away with more of this stuff than the Simons and Downies of the league.

  3. Ashley Gallant

    Jan 23, 09:45 PM

    ooo looks like I was wrong…Kovalchuk has been suspended for one game.

  4. DaBich

    Jan 24, 06:43 AM

    one game….:;smack on the fingers:: now, don’t do that again!

  5. Ashley Gallant

    Jan 24, 07:17 AM

    haha

    I have to wonder if the league gave him only 1 game because they felt it was sufficient, or because they didn’t want to face the “Should he play in the All-Star Game?” questions if they went with 2 or more games…

  6. DaBich

    Jan 24, 08:23 AM

    I am leaning toward the latter…not that they will own up to it…

  7. elle

    Jan 29, 04:45 PM

    If this were Simon, he would have got 15 games. It’s simply not fair.

  8. Matt Bodenschatz

    Jan 29, 05:18 PM

    I agree to an extent, Elle. First off I think it was worth more than one game.

    But, with that being said, Simon is a repeat offender, so saying he would have got 15 games is a bit different. When you’re a dirty player and don’t learn your lesson, you need harsher punishments.

    I think five games would have been good for this.

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