NHL DoPS Delivers Official Ruling on Zach Whitecloud's Potential Suspension for Hit on Matthew Knies
The NHL has handed down its verdict for Zach Whitecloud's controversial hit on Matthew Knies, and the decision itself comes with controversy.
On Wednesday night, Vegas Golden Knights' Zach Whitecloud ended up giving Toronto's Matthews Knies a very rough hit that left Knies shaken.
A scrum immediately ensued as Knies made it under his own power to the bench and then left the game and did not return. Originally called a major penalty, Whitecloud got off scot-free as Leafs fans were irate.
Those fans thought surely the NHL wouldn't overlook this hit against one of its brightest up-and-coming stars, right?
Well as always, the NHL tends to make the wrong decision when it comes to player safety.
TSN's Darren Dreger joined Gino Reda and reported that the league has reviewed the hit and decided not to punish Whitecloud:
Instinctually I'm told that hit, while devastating, and it left Matthew Knies on the sideline...an experienced referee wouldn't call it a major. Why wouldn't you call it a major though?
We've seen it in other situations this year. You have the technology, and you have the ability to get it right. But here's where people get confused.
When referees put the headset on and look at the tablet they think there are 12 guys talking them through it. Hockey ops isn't beyond the supervising referee who is directing the video traffic who ultimately makes that call.
It was the ref as soon as they saw the evidence, that rescinded. They think there are several voices in that opinion and that is simply not true."
As of it being past 5PM ET, there is no longer the ability to punish Whitecloud even if they wanted to.
While the referees didn't see it as an illegal hit, that didn't stop other analysts, pundits, and fans from giving their own take on the matter.
Paul Bissonnette was on the ref's side, a rarity given his Leafs fandom.
However, many were quick to point out that Whitecloud's feet indeed left the ice and his increased height over everyone wasn't just a mid-game growth spurt.
It's a controversial hit that has undoubtedly caused a whirlwind of debate and frustration from both sides of the coin. All we can hope is that Knies isn't hurt too badly.
The focus should turn now to making sure Knies is okay going forward. The league and the refs already made their call. Let's move on and get your revenge on the ice.
| POLL | ||
Should Zach Whitecloud have been suspended? | ||
| Yes at least one game! | 1100 | 87.5 % |
| No it was a clean hit! | 157 | 12.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
