The Department of Player Safety has issued a two-game suspension to Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere for his boarding of Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Mark Friedman at the end of last night’s game. As the accompanying video explains:
It is important to note that this is not a defensive play in which Gostisbehere is attempting to reach the puck carrier to prevent the goal from being scored. It is only after the empty net goal was apparent that Gostisbehere adjusts his skating path, takes a hard stride to reach Friedman and begins to initiate this contact. It is significantly after the puck enters the net, well past the time where Friedman should reasonably expect and prepare for contact that the shove is delivered.
The league notes the shove was at a dangerous distance from the boards and though acknowledged that Gostisbehere has not been fined or suspended in his 380-game career, decided to issue the two-game ban.
Gostisbehere will now miss two of the remaining three games in the season. The Flyers will not be making the playoffs after a disappointing year and will now need to find another body to insert into the lineup down the stretch.
if I cared any more about this season it be pissed
Lol talk about a huge turn of events… wow they’re terrible at making the correct call… Wilson shoulda been given 30+ not a $5000 fine
Still not seeing it. Friedman was off balance before the hit. Players give the “get out of here” shove after many goals. Two minute penalty.
Forget Tom Wilson and that obvious hypocrisy, just watch this video to see how random NHL justice is…the two handed lumber jack slash by the other Flyer (Nolan Patrick) was a worse play.
Washington gets another pass and break as Wilson plays and Shayne is suspended. Last I looked the Capitols are trying for home ice yet a suspension goes to one of the better Flyers.
The NHL botched this one.
Will the real Tom Wilson please stand up!
It shows that the rangers were right. The head of discipline needs to be fired. Ghost deserves a fine and Wilson deserves 20 games at least.
Wow
Should changed his name to Tom Wilson, no way he’d be suspended for anything then!
Overreaction by social media doesn’t mean you suspend Willy. Could they? Of course. I was expecting a 3-5 game. What he did is a touch over what happens on a normal night of hockey/hes got the name, so I would’ve been fine with it (look at Crosby last night). You can’t do what ghost did. That’s gonna be a sussy more than not. Is this bad timing on the league? Yes. They’re basically trolling everyone. And panarin shouldn’t have jumped on Wilson’s back. He’s half his size. That doesn’t mean Wilson can’t fight back. The injury everyone clickbates on? Lower body. Had a Lower body injury earlier in the year. Not a head injury which they want you to think.
Overall, obviously not a good look for Wilson, but Twitter (where everyone is always right/loud minority screams/group think) overreacts and calls for Wilson’s career, while this play here you have to look for to find. This is no doubt a suspendable offence, but the league was put in a tough place by not suspending Wilson.
And don’t be surprised when Buchnevich is suspended tomorrow