Kassian gets a break

This should be noted to all GENS watch how you hit it could cost you - oh and if you are a star player only 20 games if not it's the season



On OHL website:

--The Ontario Hockey League today announced the result of its review of an incident which occurred in the game played in Windsor on Thursday, January 14th, 2010 between the Windsor Spitfires and the visiting Barrie Colts.

The incident in question involved player Zack Kassian of the Windsor Spitfires Hockey Club who was assessed a 5 minute major and game misconduct for charging as a result of his hit on Barrie Colts’ player Matt Kennedy who sustained a head injury on the play.

In making the announcement as the result of the review, Commissioner David Branch stated that… "while the League is persuaded that player Zack Kassian did not leave his feet prior to contact with the Barrie player, it is the position of the League that player Zack Kassian checked the unsuspecting Barrie player while such player was in a vulnerable position without having been in the possession of the puck. Players must understand that they shall be held accountable for their actions and we must continue to work to improve the level of respect players have towards opposing players”.

“It is the position of the Ontario Hockey League that player Zack Kassian of the Windsor Spitfires Hockey Club be suspended for twenty (20) games.”
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RIP #18 MR

I think 20 games is to soft and Mr Branch missed the boat on this one as Matt Kennedy ponders his hockey future

The only reason we all think that 20 games is too light is because the book was thrown at Liambas. If Liambas had got 20 we would feel differently. I personally think Kassian's and Cormiers hits were worse than Liambas hit. The difference was the Ranger player was more seriously hurt. The liambas hit although dangerous was a hockey play (hard forecheck on someone with the puck who turned his back) The Kassian hit was a hit at full speed to the head of a player not expecting to be hit. (But plays on top team and is a mem cup contender)

I wonder what Sherry Bassin thinks of the difference between the hits?