If the NHL needed proof that
long suspensions are not a deterrent to dirty play they got it on Wednesday
night from Trevor Gillies of the New York Islanders. Gillies was playing in his first game since
receiving a 9 game suspension for his part in the Islanders-Penguins embarrassment
on February 11th and it took him less than two periods to get tossed from the
game.
Only 2:23 into the second
period Gillies took a run at Cal Clutterbuck of the Minnesota Wild with obvious
intent to injure him. Gillies was given
a 5-minute major for checking from behind and immediately ejected for his two
hand punch to crush Clutterbuck’s head into the glass. Some will try and defend Gillies saying he
was sticking up for Justin DiBenedetto, but there much more legitimate ways to
go about defending a teammate. I expect
Gillies to be done for the year.
Here’s the video of the hit:
Here is the video of the Versus crew talking
about the hit.
