Oilers defender Corey Potter was suspended two games today by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for his hit against Ducks forward Nick Bonino. Potter shoved Bonino from behind and knocked him into the boards, although Bonino was off balance at the time of the play. Potter was given a five minute major and a game misconduct for the play, and received a phone hearing for the incident.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qclw9wXFhfs
Potter, as mentioned above, was given two games for this hit. Now, at the time the hit occurred I thought it was a dangerous play, and I stand by that. Hits like that have no place in the NHL and need to be taken out of the game. Was there intent from Corey Potter? From where I am standing the answer is no, absolutely not. That has never been Potter’s game.
That being said, this was a stupid play. Bonino was falling down and there really was no need to hit him there. Potter isn’t that kind of player, but that is a bad play, and a dangerous one as well. This hit reminds me of the Riley Nash hit on Corey Potter on Tuesday night in Edmonton, where Nash got five and the game for the hit, but no call from the NHL.
Personally, I’m okay with the two game ban. I also would have been fine had Potter, like Nash, received no extra discipline. That being said, the NHL is starting to crack down on plays like this, and I full on understand why Potter got two games. I’m okay with this suspension.
What say you Oil Country? Agree or disagree with the two game suspension? Feel free to share that in the comments section or on twitter @Alex_Thomas14.
As for a replacement, looks like Anton Belov will draw back in for the next two games, and I wouldn’t be shocked if Martin Marincin is recalled for the games in LA and Colorado.
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