Dancing in the Reign: NHL Correct In Assessing Misconduct, Withholding Suspension To Dustin Brown

Dustin Brown, who was penalized with a game misconduct for his hit on Minnesota’s Antti Miettinen last night will not be suspended. Brown is not a dirty player, and the league knows this. Miettinen’s positioning as Brown made the hit left him completely vulnerable, coming off of a shot release forcing him off balance with a lowered left shoulder. Fans will always be biased when it comes to such a call imposed on your team, but Brown’s early exit was justified. Replays have failed to show any solid evidence of head contact, but that doesn’t change my stance on the ruling granted from the on-ice officials. The collision looked nasty, and initial views pressed referees to enforce one of the most controversial issues in the league today. Eliminating hits targeted to the head has become a focal point in the NHL due to strenuous injuries suffered in recent years. In order to continue to stress the danger of such hits, on-ice calls are gauged differently than suspensions. To maintain control of the game, while sending a no-tolerance message to the players, a harsh penalty must be mandated. But just like in Dustin Brown‘s circumstance, further review must locate indisputable evidence of an illegal infraction to issue a suspension. Brown never made clear-cut head contact with Antti Miettinen, so further punishment wasn’t necessary. However, the initial decision to kick Brown out of the game further strengthened the NHL‘s strategy to rid the league of hits to the head. Perfectly, and respectfully played here. To allow safety measures to overshadow losing your captain in the midst of a game is difficult, but honest.