Riverport Restaurant Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall
Wallaceburg’s Seth Griffith was knocked out of Wednesday’s game in the third period, after what Florida Panthers coach Tom Rowe called a “dirty” and intentional hit the head by Nikolaj Ehlers of the Winnipeg Jets.
The play came at the 13:17 mark of the first period, watch it here courtesy of Sportsnet:
Here is what Panthers head coach Tom Rowe had to say about the hit following the game:
@FlaPanthers head coach Tom Rowe calls the hit by @NHLJets Nikolaj Ehlers on Seth Griffith ‘dirty’ & a ‘deliberate hit to go for the head’ pic.twitter.com/cP7PqO0Ar1
— Sydenham Current (@SydenhamCurrent) 5 January 2017
No penalty was called on the play.
However, many experts are saying an interference call should have been made.
TSN’s Craig Button agreed the play should’ve been called interference, but did not agree with Rowe that the play was dirty. Watch Button’s comments here: Was Ehlers’ hit on Griffith dirty?
After watching and listening to this video by NHL Player Safety, it appears Ehlers should be in line for a suspension.
The Jets forward hit Griffith while he was not in possession of the puck, head contact was made, and Griffith left the game with a concussion.
Whether or not the hit is deemed to be an illegal head shot, I doubt this will be the case. However, it is undoubtedly interference.
The 20-year-old Ehlers, who ended up scoring a goal in a 4-1 Jets win, should be forced to sit one game at least and be suspended by the NHL for the hit.
If you have a suggestion, story idea, column idea, or if you want to say hello… drop me an e-mail at aaron@sydenhamcurrent.ca.
Photo of the day
Here is a screen shot of a Sportsnet video, which analyses Ehlers hit of Griffith.
Weather forecast for Thursday, January 5, 2016
Today – Mainly cloudy with 60 percent chance of flurries. Wind west 30 km/h gusting to 50 becoming light late this afternoon. High minus 8.
Tonight – Partly cloudy with 30 percent chance of flurries. Low minus 12.
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