Anger Mounts Against NHL as Hurricanes Star Escapes Punishment for Misdemeanor

The Carolina Hurricanes is under fire once again! It all began with the game against the Washington Capitals, where things got a bit off the usual on the ice, and fans are not happy. No doubt about that, and it’s all justified, for after what’s been done to the Capitals forward Connor McMichael. That kind of straight slamming of a player right onto the ice when the player is off his helmet is ruthless. But, alas! The NHL Player Safety has let that go and escorted the Hurricanes through it, with no disciplinary actions on him.

The scuffle broke out in a heated third period when Jalen Chatfield grabbed McMichael by the jersey—front and back—and slammed him down hard onto the ice. Yes! Onto the ice!! McMichael’s helmet had already come off, but luckily, he wasn’t hurt. But is that enough? That he didn’t get hurt, what if he did? And all of that still, Chatfield comes out with a clean chit? Both players got five-minute fighting majors and 10-minute misconducts for their trouble. That brawl was just the grand finale of a wild seven-minute stretch where refs handed out a whopping 120 penalty minutes—ten minors, four full-on fights, and eight misconducts. With that, the Hurricanes cruised to a 5-1 win.

Given that, fans are getting right up in the chatter and calling out the NHL and the player safety rules, which are openly biased. Right after the match ended, the head coach of the Washington Capitals also raised questions about the same and the fact that the officials took no action and let it pass! Spencer Carbery, talking to the reporters, said, “There were just a few plays before [the Chatfield takedown] that, you know… player safety is a big thing,” and added, “Guys are so good at policing each other on what’s dangerous or what’s not and there were a few dangerous plays that start to get… you can feel the temperature raising.” And for the unversed, Capitals have been dragged into some major high-penalty contests earlier too.

However, looking at the situation, it’s hard to say that player safety doesn’t become an issue here. Fans are boiling that Chatfield got an escape from this. And we can’t agree more!

Hurricanes fans spit anger against the NHL Player Safety, as Chatfield gets away with McMichael massacre

It’s nothing new to hockey; the debates are getting into full swing amongst the fans. But the takedown McMichael is getting has fans divided; while some call it a part of the game, some refuse it and call it unfair and say it crossed a line.

As one notes, “Why should he, man? It’s a fight. He’s stronger than McMichael. McMichael picked the wrong guy. There was no leg sweep.” Could be, could be! We understand this ‘let them play’ perspective, given that no illegal move like a leg sweep was involved in it, but to slam someone by grabbing them by their jersey on the ice seems to go over the line. The NHL called for no punishment for it; it seems a bit incoherent here. As a fan writes, “No punishment at all seems crazy. The NHL is gonna fuel the fire of people who don’t want fighting in the game if they allow shit like this to happen.” Well, exactly! It just openly calls for fighting and normalizing it too. This clean chit sends the wrong message to the hockey community.

Recalling Bertuzzi, a fan added, “That’s BS. A fair fight is and always will be a part of hockey, but this action is similar to Bertuzzi. Just thankful no injury occurred.” Todd Bertuzzi’s attack has been one-of-a-kind, infamous, and brutal. Back on March 8, 2004, Todd of the Vancouver Canucks delivered a cheap shot in NHL history. He punched Steve Moore of the Colorado Avalanche right on the head, and following that, Steve suffered some serious injuries, which ended his entire NHL career. However, it’s a blessing that McMichael wasn’t hurt. Hockey fights aren’t unusual to the fans whatsoever. As another chimes in, “Good. It was a fight that ended in a takedown. This happens all the time. Doesn’t look pretty, but hockey is different.” But things still remain persistent with the absolute no ‘disciplinary’ actions! A fan points it out as completely ridiculous, mentioning, “Absolutely ridiculous. I love the fights and especially how the game went between CAR and WAS. But to spin someone down to the ice with no bucket on is completely uncalled for. Chatfield clearly has the size on McMichael. If Wilson had done that, he would have gotten at least 5.” Right on point!

We have seen the NHL being inconsistent with their ‘decisions’ that they make in such vulnerable times, and at times, they go a bit off the route and are not very plausible! Tom Wilson has a reputation for being a hard hitter, and he’s been harshly punished due to the same, leading to suspensions. That’s there; the raised eyebrows make all the sense!

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