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A Contact Sport or An Assault There is something about playoff hockey isn’t there? The speed of the game, the electricity of the crowd, the tie game with five minutes to go in the third period knowing the next goal is probably going to end it.

It definitely gets the nerves flowing and the blood pumping. It is unfortunate that something so good can be scarred by the minority who turn a feel good story into one that makes you cringe. We are not talking about the hitting or the fighting in hockey.

We are talking about the blatant force to an unexpected or defenseless player with the intent to injure. There is no room in any sport for this type of conduct especially in a sport which has blades, sticks and a slick surface for assistance.

You can’t tell me a twenty or thirty game suspension is enough to force these players to change their ways. Anyone who uses this game as a weapon deserves to be banned from the league, no questions asked. The league constantly feels they need to support its players, but there is always a line to be crossed. .

A suspension for an outright assault? You might as well condone the act or be an accomplice to it. It is time to stand up and stop these thugs from ruining a great game. Lets not make hockey about the injuries but rather the game that gets you sitting on the edge of your seat praying the puck slides your way.

Some of the Worst:

- Chris Simon – 30 games - for stomping on the leg of Pittsburgh's Jarko Ruutu in December, 2007.

- Chris Simon – 25 games - for a slash to the face of the Rangers' Ryan Hollweg in March, 2007.

- Marty McSorley – 23 games - for knocking out Vancouver's Donald Brashear by swinging a stick at his head in March, 2000.

- Todd Bertuzzi – 20 games - for serious injuries sustained by Colorado's Steve Moore when Bertuzzi jumped him from behind in March, 2004

Posted on September 4,2009 by NY Sports Maniac

Upcoming 2009 MLB Sports Calendar

September 14    Preseason schedule begins

October 1     Regular season begin

November 9   Hall of Fame inductions

January 1    Bruins vs Flyers at Fenway Park

February 16    Olympic men's tournament begins

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