Game 5 between the Montreal Canadiens and the Philadelphia Flyers was full of action, lots of scoring, and lots of heavy hitting. Early on we saw a hit on Travis Sanheim that had cut his eye, which ended up in a 5 minute major and a game misconduct. The hit was a penalty, and was the right call to make. His back was turned, and it was an illegal hit into the boards. The “Ref” made the right call. The Flyers went on to net their first Power play goals since the first game of series ending a huge scoreless drought on the power play.
Later on in the game in the closing minutes of the 3rd period, Flyers Defenseman Matt Niskanen delivered a cross check to Forward Brendan Gallagher in the face that resulted in a broken jaw, thus ending his series against the Flyers. It was a penalty, it potentially could of resulted in a Major Penalty and a game misconduct (Which would have resulted in an automatic review of this play), as well. Howeveer, the “Refs” missed the call.
This all being said, the Canadiens had a right to have the league look into this. The “Refs” missed a huge call that had such an impact in the game. It was an illegal hit, and should of been called. In my opinion, since they missed the call, the league needed to take serious action resulting in a game suspension of Flyers Defenseman Matt Niskanen. If the right call was made on the ice, I believe Matt Niskanen would be playing in game 6. This is not the result Flyers fans wanted, but it was the right call. So far, I have heard from people “Coach AV was right, he’s too short, it’s not Niskanen’s fault he hit him there”. Wrong. Size or weight incorporated, deliberate or not, he cross checked another player in the face. A player CANNOT DO that.
I spoke to a Flyers fan Justin Palka, he says, “Sanheim came back 2 minutes later. Gallagher needs surgery, and will miss time. Jesperi Kotkaniemi was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct which was the right call. Niskanen wasn’t penalized at all, which was the wrong call. The Canadiens were right to have the league review it”. It was the right move. Of course, we want one of top leaders on the ice in Niskanen, but it is now time to step up and get ready for a pivotal game 6. If the right call was made on the ice initially, we might be having a different conversation in my opinion. Head Coach Alain Vigneault said yesterday, “But Nisky’s hit, his angle doesn’t change. Just a hockey play in my estimation.” Either way just win game 6 tonight, Let’s go Flyers.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
