During intermission last night, Jennifer Botterill and Jamal Mayers got into a heated debate on the Hartman-Perfetti incident, disagreeing on whether this should be part of the game or not.
Everyone who knows hockey knows that there is a 'code' that governs the game and is policed by the players themselves. Some are more of a fan of the code than others, but nevertheless, it is part of how the NHL operates. Most often this is seen when a player steps up to fight an opponent who just did a dirty play.
Sometimes, this 'code' is taken too far, as some are arguing Ryan Hartman did the other night. Hartman intentionally high-sticked Cole Perfetti, as he admitted on a hot mic, saying it was in retaliation to another incident.
Here is the high stick in question.
Cole Perfetti back on the ice for the Jets after taking a high stick to the face by Ryan Hartman off the faceoff during his first shift.
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Clearly, there is some disagreement around the hockey world on the drama that was the high-sticking incident. On the Sportsnet panel, Jamal Mayers explained how he believed that this was part of the game, that there is a message being sent and it all falls within the 'code' that the players play within.
«To me, Ryan Hartman is sending a message that you're not going to go after our star player. And whether you like it or not, it becomes a question of how I'm going to defend myself, and it's not about fighting you,» Mayers said.
Botterill, on the other hand, thought that this wasn't a good message to be sending to young superstars coming up in the League. That at any point in time, you could be on the receiving end of a high stick to the face.
«Both of the terms you guys use, revenge and sending a message, I don't know; you watch the play, and you see Cole Perfetti, a young, great player in your league. Do you think that's what you want to present or succumb to your young, talented players too?» she said. «I don't know. I don't think that's what's selling your game to your biggest stars.
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There is an argument to be had on both sides of the fence, here. While there is a 'code' that runs the NHL, clearly the high stick in question crosses some sort of line, and that is too much for today's NHL.
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Do you think that the high stick Ryan Hartman gave Cole Perfetti crossed a line?
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