Dalton Thrower of the Saskatoon Blades has been suspended for the rest of the Memorial Cup for an illegal hit on Taylor Leier of the Portland Winterhawks.
Somehow both officials ate their whistle on the play and Thrower didn’t spend any time in the penalty box. Needless to say, Winterhawk coach Travis Green was none too pleased.
Despite having two referees – Reagan Vetter of the Western Hockey League and Jean-Philippe Sylvain of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League – on the ice, there was no penalty assessed.
Winterhawks interim head coach, Travis Green, stood on Portland’s bench and began yelling at the officials on the ice: “Wake the (expletive) up!”
Green was less animated in the post-game press conference but it was clear he was still fuming.
“My player was knocked out cold by a hit, or close to it and out of the game,” said the former NHLer. “On a hit that – it’s pretty obvious why I’m upset.”
Thrower’s hit should be sent around to every youth hockey player with a label, “Don’t Ever Do This.” The hit embodies everything that hockey has been trying to rid of the game. A sloppy hit where he leaves his feet, leads with his elbow, and catches the victim in the head.
Last season, the aptly named Thrower was drafted 51st overall by the Montreal Canadiens.
[Yahoo!]
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