Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Kassian again finds turmoil, ejected in CAN/CZE tilt

I'll post more on this as we go, but here's a reel of the Zack Kassian hit on Petr Senkerik that earned a five minute match penalty and game misconduct in the 2nd period of Tuesday's Canada-Czech Republic prelim game. Senkerik was taken off on a stretcher, and the reactions since have varied between "clean" and "dirty". By virtue of the match penalty, Kassian will be forced to sit out Canada's game with Norway on Tuesday.

And once again the 6'3 bullish forward finds himself in a media firestorm just eleven months removed from a vicious headshot on Barrie Colt Matt Kennedy. Kassian served a 20-game suspension for that neutral zone pop, but this hit featured a toned-down aggressor.

Elbow in, didn't leave his feet...The IIHF is not very forgiving. Is this worthy of getting tossed to you?




Angle #2:





The second angle look worse. How late is late?

Kassian was looking like one of Canada's better players in the game until this happened. I pondered whether he would keep himself in check in an emotionally charged environment, but frankly while I hope Senkerik is OK, I think Kassian is innocent of ill intent.

Of course the IIHF may disagree, as their rules prohibit contact to the head and neck areas. If Kassian's shoulder touches Senkerik's chin as suggested by many, he could remain suspended past the Norway game.

We'll see how this plays out.