Does Campbell send a message that no one is immune to being suspended for "reckless" play, and at the same time sit one of the League's most marketable players, or not?
He had no problem telling Georges Laraque that shots to the knee are unacceptable. Like many lesser stars, Laraque, and a few days later, Matt Cooke with his hit to the head against the Rangers forward Artem Anisimov were cited for past incidents and consequentially suspended.
Ovie refused to address this incident last night after the game, but Carolina Coach Paul Maurice called the hit "dangerous." "I don't know how you want to define the play, but it's dangerous for both players."
Last night Caps coach Bruce Boudreau stated that he did not think the incident merited a suspension. Why would he? Yet today, even he offered, speaking of his star player to the media: "He's pretty reckless..."
In that same session Ovechkin offered that he didn't feel that he should be suspended, nor does he feel that he should have any reason to change his game.
It is for that very reason that Colin Campbell must suspend him. Ovechkin, injured yet another player by carelessly extending his knee and colliding into an opponent's. He injured himself as a bonus. With all of his antics and over the top celebrations, Ovie's lack of "respect for the game" has been questioned by hockey purist, and attention whores like Don Cherry alike.
Yet, a lack of respect for his fellow players' well being, becoming a danger to himself, as well as others, should be questioned by the League and earn him some considerable time in the press box.
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