Paul Stewart: Polak and Ristolainen Suspensions Both Warranted

I don't personally have any issue with these suspensions; however, I do have an issue with the complete lack of consistency in the process. That is the part, I believe, that truly frustrates the players, coaches, teams and fans. Nobody really knows who will be punished for what (or vice versa) and for how long. The inconsistency in officiating is further illustrated by the fact that you even stated that you would have let the players self-regulate the situation with Polak had you been the on ice official. Consistency and communication of expectations/rules is critical to the future growth of this game. Plain and simple.

Hey, did you see Kevin Bieksa take a high stick to the face with the referee watching last night? Predictably he bled all over the ice and missed the rest of the period while he was sewn up. Just as predictably, there was no call. Shocking, eh?

This came just one game after a different official saw Corey Perry get a stick to the face. Unbelievable, the official who was standing only feet away with his eyes glued to the play raised his arm and held it up for the remainder of play. But then when the play was dead, his brain kicked in and he realized it was Corey Perry who was hit in the face, and his arm went slowly down as he skated to center ice.

The Wideman treatment can't continue in this league. Shandor Alphonso must be embarrassed by all of this if he truly loves the game.

Hey, did you see Kevin Bieksa take a high stick to the face with the referee watching last night? Predictably he bled all over the ice and missed the rest of the period while he was sewn up. Just as predictably, there was no call. Shocking, eh?

This came just one game after a different official saw Corey Perry get a stick to the face. Unbelievable, the official who was standing only feet away with his eyes glued to the play raised his arm and held it up for the remainder of play. But then when the play was dead, his brain kicked in and he realized it was Corey Perry who was hit in the face, and his arm went slowly down as he skated to center ice.

The Wideman treatment can't continue in this league. Shandor Alphonso must be embarrassed by all of this if he truly loves the game.
- yzermaneely

In another example last night, Sidney Crosby two-handed Marc Methot in the hands 'shattering' Methot's finger. Methot was carrying the puck so know way it was not seen by the officials. No penalty.

Yet if Crosby had tapped Methot's composite stick in a weak spot causing it to break it would likely have been an automatic two minutes.

Two hander that breaks a finger in half - no penalty. Stick tap that breaks a stick - automatic penalty. That is the NHL.

The problem is the inconsistencies with the rulings. Why hasnt there been a suspension to Marchand for his numerous slew foots this year or what about the Malkin hit on Wheeler or the Crosby blatant slash to the groin of ROR. Why do these get a pass...ridiculous

Why is a deliberate spear to the groin by Crosby not reviewed?? It's not like he did it by mistake. The NHL has no consistency whatsoever.

Garth: "Simple case of unintended consequences."

Why is a deliberate spear to the groin by Crosby not reviewed?? It's not like he did it by mistake. The NHL has no consistency whatsoever.
- turbo044

They almost never review spears. So actually it's them being very consistent. You just don't like the person who did it so you want them to review this one. But you fail to mention all the others that happen every single game it seems. You are in inconsistent one in this situation.

They almost never review spears. So actually it's them being very consistent. You just don't like the person who did it so you want them to review this one. But you fail to mention all the others that happen every single game it seems. You are in inconsistent one in this situation.
- Zac_O

That's just wrong but okay.

On the suspension to Risto, I have zero problem with him being suspended. My issue is the 3 games.

Polak boards a guy face first only gets 2 Thachuk throws an elbow at someones face only gets 2, Risto times a play wrong (interference for sure) but gets 3?

This suspension is pretty much the same play that Risto got suspended for but made even more head contact but is only 2 games



That's why many Sabres fans are upset. At least the rational ones who fully expected a suspension anyway.

Inconsistency time and time again.

That's just wrong but okay.

On the suspension to Risto, I have zero problem with him being suspended. My issue is the 3 games.

Polak boards a guy face first only gets 2 Thachuk throws an elbow at someones face only gets 2, Risto times a play wrong (interference for sure) but gets 3?

This suspension is pretty much the same play that Risto got suspended for but made even more head contact but is only 2 games



That's why many Sabres fans are upset. At least the rational ones who fully expected a suspension anyway.

Inconsistency time and time again.
- Stripes77

Im not wrong though. Typically when you say something is wrong you need to prove it. So please do so. They have only punished 6 players since 2012 for spearing. That is not very much. Thus they don't review it very often.

Time to take the blinders off buddy. They are not being inconsistent here. Maybe with the suspension to Risto they are. But not with not punishing Sid for what happens all the time without punishment.

Im not wrong though. Typically when you say something is wrong you need to prove it. So please do so. They have only punished 6 players since 2012 for spearing. That is not very much. Thus they don't review it very often.

Time to take the blinders off buddy. They are not being inconsistent here. Maybe with the suspension to Risto they are. But not with not punishing Sid for what happens all the time without punishment.
- Zac_O

Where did I say anything about Sidney spearing someone?

The review you said doesn't happen does in fact happen. Usually a fine.

Again I couldn't care less about the spear. In fact the entirety of my post was about the inconsistency of the supplemental discipline regarding suspension length and I provided examples.

So what blinders am I wearing?

Where did I say anything about Sidney spearing someone?

The review you said doesn't happen does in fact happen. Usually a fine.

Again I couldn't care less about the spear. In fact the entirety of my post was about the inconsistency of the supplemental discipline regarding suspension length and I provided examples.

So what blinders am I wearing?
- Stripes77

The entire subject of this conversation is about Crosby spearing Orielly. No wonder you are saying incorrect things. You don't even know what we are talking about.

I just told you they have only fined 6 players since 2012 for it. So like I said its not very often.

If you couldn't care less about the spear then why are you arguing they are inconsistent for not punishing him for it? If that's not what you meant then you're arguing with no one since the subject I was talking about was the spear not the suspension.

The entire subject of this conversation is about Crosby spearing Orielly. No wonder you are saying incorrect things. You don't even know what we are talking about.

I just told you they have only fined 6 players since 2012 for it. So like I said its not very often.

If you couldn't care less about the spear then why are you arguing they are inconsistent for not punishing him for it? If that's not what you meant then you're arguing with no one since the subject I was talking about was the spear not the suspension.
- Zac_O

Of course they only fined a small number of players over the past few years. Because it doesn't happen all the time like you say it does. I have never seen a spear to the groin before.

The entire subject of this conversation is about Crosby spearing Orielly. No wonder you are saying incorrect things. You don't even know what we are talking about.

I just told you they have only fined 6 players since 2012 for it. So like I said its not very often.

If you couldn't care less about the spear then why are you arguing they are inconsistent for not punishing him for it? If that's not what you meant then you're arguing with no one since the subject I was talking about was the spear not the suspension.
- Zac_O

Let me help you out a little bit here. Go back and read what I first posted.

I didn't mention Crosby, say the word spear, or mentioned a suspension should come up of his spear. The only thing I did was highlight something you said and said you were wrong (which you are btw) the league does have processes in place to review those things. You said they almost never review spears which is incorrect they however don't usually punish them further based on the penalties that are originally called.

Then I moved on to the Risto suspension and hit. So basically you are arguing with either the wrong poster or just arguing with someone because you read the name Crosby and for whatever reason you feel the need to defend his "honor".

Stewies entire blog is about the suspensions. So I posted my opinion on the matter which the last I checked is what these message boards are for. I am a frequent reader of his blogs because as an official I like to hear another officials thoughts on things.

Again my entire issue with the suspensions is the lack of consistency in length when they are given out. If you want to argue whether Crosby is a saint or whatever I suggest you find someone else to argue with because I am not that guy.

Let me help you out a little bit here. Go back and read what I first posted.

I didn't mention Crosby, say the word spear, or mentioned a suspension should come up of his spear. The only thing I did was highlight something you said and said you were wrong (which you are btw) the league does have processes in place to review those things. You said they almost never review spears which is incorrect they however don't usually punish them further based on the penalties that are originally called.

Then I moved on to the Risto suspension and hit. So basically you are arguing with either the wrong poster or just arguing with someone because you read the name Crosby and for whatever reason you feel the need to defend his "honor".

Stewies entire blog is about the suspensions. So I posted my opinion on the matter which the last I checked is what these message boards are for. I am a frequent reader of his blogs because as an official I like to hear another officials thoughts on things.

Again my entire issue with the suspensions is the lack of consistency in length when they are given out. If you want to argue whether Crosby is a saint or whatever I suggest you find someone else to argue with because I am not that guy.
- Stripes77

Everything I was saying was about Crosby's spear. So if you weren't talking about that then you were not talking about what I was. I suggest you go back and read yourself cuz I was only ever talking about Crosby. So when you replied I assumed you were talking about what I was. I'm sorry you misunderstood that.


6 punishments since 2012 is often for you? If anything I only worded it slightly wrong. Sorry for the semantics mistake I guess.

Everything I was saying was about Crosby's spear. So if you weren't talking about that then you were not talking about what I was. I suggest you go back and read yourself cuz I was only ever talking about Crosby. So when you replied I assumed you were talking about what I was. I'm sorry you misunderstood that.
- Zac_O

I only replied to you because you are wrong about the review process.

Then I went in to the Risto suspension...Seems like you're the one confused and not I.

I only replied to you because you are wrong about the review process.

Then I went in to the Risto suspension...Seems like you're the one confused and not I.
- Stripes77

I worded it poorly. If you wanna argue semantics on wording sure I was wrong. But 6 in 5 years is pretty rare to me. But let I said that's semantics so ok.


You started talking about something I wasnt talking about at all. Ya I am confused as to why. Sorry I was thinking you were talking about what I was since you are the one to join the convo not me.

You talking about something totally different than me is not my fault. The post I replied to was about Crosby and his spear to Orielly's nuts. You jumped on me assuming I was talking about the suspension when I wasn't. Then you whined about semantics on something I'm not wrong about. How is this my fault and how am I supposed to not be confused when you argue a totally different subject than I'm talking about?

I worded it poorly. If you wanna argue semantics on wording sure I was wrong. But 6 in 5 years is pretty rare to me. But let I said that's semantics so ok.


You started talking about something I wasnt talking about at all. Ya I am confused as to why. Sorry I was thinking you were talking about what I was since you are the one to join the convo not me.
- Zac_O

For the record on the spear/slash I am not sure how that was missed by 2 officials.

If anything a small fine and move on.

For the record on the spear/slash I am not sure how that was missed by 2 officials.

If anything a small fine and move on.
- Stripes77

Except that happens most games. And as I've said, it is rarely punished. So them giving him no punishment for it is them being consistent. Since in most cases like these they don't give punishment.

This was all I said in the first place before you changed the subject completely.

Except that happens most games. And as I've said, it is rarely punished. So them giving him no punishment for it is them being consistent. Since in most cases like these they don't give punishment.

This was all I said in the first place before you changed the subject completely.
- Zac_O

Nut shots like that do not happen every game

Nut shots like that do not happen every game
- Stripes77

True. But spearing and slashing players for no reason does. Sometimes its a nut shot. This is one of those times. I think Sid should be fined. But them not fining him is in line with how it normally is when players do this type of thing.

Hey, did you see Kevin Bieksa take a high stick to the face with the referee watching last night? Predictably he bled all over the ice and missed the rest of the period while he was sewn up. Just as predictably, there was no call. Shocking, eh?

This came just one game after a different official saw Corey Perry get a stick to the face. Unbelievable, the official who was standing only feet away with his eyes glued to the play raised his arm and held it up for the remainder of play. But then when the play was dead, his brain kicked in and he realized it was Corey Perry who was hit in the face, and his arm went slowly down as he skated to center ice.

The Wideman treatment can't continue in this league. Shandor Alphonso must be embarrassed by all of this if he truly loves the game.
- yzermaneely

HaHa - Everybody hates Perry; primary because he's a cheap shot punk female dog mother(frank)er.

Everything I was saying was about Crosby's spear. So if you weren't talking about that then you were not talking about what I was. I suggest you go back and read yourself cuz I was only ever talking about Crosby. So when you replied I assumed you were talking about what I was. I'm sorry you misunderstood that.


6 punishments since 2012 is often for you? If anything I only worded it slightly wrong. Sorry for the semantics mistake I guess.
- Zac_O

I think it's time you looked up the definition of "review" and "punishment". They are not mutually exclusive. They review a ton of plays in every game, 99% of the time, nothing comes of it.

HaHa - Everybody hates Perry; primary because he's a cheap shot punk female dog mother(frank)er.
- verwustung

He totally didn't mean to stomp on that guy's foot.

Never mind, it was Ryan. Same guy in my head.

HaHa - Everybody hates Perry; primary because he's a cheap shot punk female dog mother(frank)er.
- verwustung

...Typical Kings fan showing the entirety of his vocabulary. Here's some advice: Use your loooooong summer to advance your education.