Joe Thornton knocked Petr Mrazek to the ice with just one swipe of his gloved hand. While he is listed at 6'4", 220, Mrazek wend down pretty easily. And after he started the altercation no less.
Is it right for Thornton to hit a goalie? Obviously, the answer is no. Was it okay for Mrazek to swing his stick at Thornton, again no.
Here is the video if you haven't seen it yet:
Is hockey becoming soccer?
Did Mrazek flop? Did Thornton catch him just right with that punch? Was it embellished at all?
These are not things we should be asking. Thornton shouldn't be punching the goalie. But let's not be accepting of the horrible embellishment either.
Thornton should get suspended and probably will. You just cannot punch a goalie regardless of the 'injury'. But, the league needs to address embellishment lest our sport become like the examples of soccer above.
What do you think? Do they both deserve punishment? Did Mrazek embellish this? Should the CAR skaters have taken their own brand of retribution out on Thornton?