Article content
This in from columnist Mark Spector of Sportsnet, word that Trevor Moore of the Los Angeles Kings will not be suspended for submarining Vincent Desharnais with a nasty low hit in Monday night’s game: “No supplementary discipline for Trevor Moore re: his low hit on Desharnais in Game 1.
It was reviewed by NHL Player Safety.”
Article content
The play was widely viewed as not just an illegal hit, but as a dangerous one.
Said Sportsnet commenator Louie DeBrusk. “It’s low-bridge into the knee on Desharnais. That’s a dangerous hit by Moore. He comes in and instead of coming high on the big man, he goes low and chops the legs out.”
Said former NHLer Ryan Whitney on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast: “That’s a dirty hit by Moore.”
Said Hockey Hall of Fame writer Terry Jones: “Has Trevor Moore been suspended for the rest of the series yet?”
My take
1. If this hit had been on any high skill player, definitely a suspension. But you are evidently allowed free shots at the biggest guy on the ice, at least if you’re a member of the Los Angeles King and not the Edmonton Oilers.
2. For a remarkably similar hit by Josh Archibald against Winnipeg in the 2021 playoffs, Archibald was suspended one game. Here is how NHL Player Safety described the play: “Archibald closes in for a check. As he approaches Stanley he drops excessively low to the ice driving his torso into Stanley’s knee with force, sending him crashing to the ice. This is clipping. It is important to note that while we recognized a height difference between the two players, players are simply not permitted to intentionally lower their body to deliver a check on or below their opponent’s knees…. Archibald is in control of this play at all times and approaches Stanley in a low position.
Article content
3. Here is how NHL Player Safety described its practice for hip checks and clipping.
Article content
4. The silver lining here? Moore got a two-minute penalty just as the Kings had momentum, scoring two goals late in the second to bring them within two goals of the Oilers, 4-2, with an entire period to go. But on Edmonton’s power play to start the third period, Leon Draisaitl harpooned the puck into the net with his classic Executioner’s Shot.
Share this article in your social network
