Ovechkin suspended for 2 games by the No Hit League (NHL)

The NHL has decided to suspend Alexander Ovechkin for his push of Chicago's Brian Campbell.

NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell ruled that it was a "reckless" hit by Ovechkin, who received a five-minute boarding major and a game misconduct on the play that occurred 12:16 into the first period.

Ovechkin, now considered a repeat offender under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, forfeits $232,645.40 in salary, based on the number of games in the season (82), rather than the number of days (193). The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Campbell reportedly suffered a broken clavicle and broken ribs after Ovechkin shoved him into the end boards. He was scheduled to meet with a team doctor Monday afternoon for further evaluation.

To me, the NHL in Toronto has sent a clear message to at least me as a fan.  The message is, the NHL has decided to make a top priority pushing, wow leaving head shots go.  Listen, if they want to suspend Ovechkin, fine.  I don't think it was a worthy suspension hit, at most, possibly a double minor, not even a major.  However, the Canada based NHL has decided to make an example of the Russian superstar.  Take that statement for what ever you infer from it.

The horrendous part of the suspension is not the fact that Alex the Great will miss two games.  The Washington Capitals are without the Great 8 a total of 7-1 .  The Capitals are not the same team as they were three years ago.  They have plenty of fire power without Ovechkin and have proven that goals and wins come easily, even without Alex.  Ask Chicago.   The unfair part of the suspension is the evidence of other, more brutal, more serious, and more intentional hits, as evidenced by the Steve Downie, Mike Richards, and Matt Cooke videos we POSTED HERE.  These hits were intentional and two of the three were aimed head shots.  No suspensions issued by the NHL.  None.  But, the push by Ovechkin and awkward fall by Campbell is suspendable.

Read it all at

http://dcprosportsreport.com/articles/washington-capitals/ovechkin-suspended-for-2-games-by-the-no-hit-league-nhl.html