Ex-Referee Comments on Evan Bouchard Incident, Oilers Provide First Injury Update
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Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard sustained an injury at the end of last night's game against the Minnesota Wild, and a former Referee has commented on the lack of a penalty call and potential supplemental discipline.
In the final minutes of last night's game, Bouchard took a hit from Wild forward Ryan Hartman a few feet away from the net, sending him crashing down and in pain on the bench.
Thankfully, early reports on Bouchard's condition seem to be positive. According to Frank Seravalli, the Oilers defender was limping while walking out, but still a positive sign that he's moving on his own.
Coach Knoblauch has said there will be more medical evaluations tomorrow, but the Oilers seem to have avoided a worst case scenario.
Former NHL Referee Comments on Non-Call for Ryan Hartman hit against Evan Bouchard
Unbelievably, there was no penalty call on the play. Some are calling for a suspension for Ryan Hartman, but at least, there should have been a penalty.
Dave Jackson, a former referee and current rules analyst for ESPN, didn't say that Hartman may see a suspension, but that there was a missed interference penalty.
Hartman making that check to Bouchard, even has they approach a loose puck, could be acceptable in many other areas of the ice. However, making that hit in close proximity to the net and boards, it's an avoidable hit on a player in a vulnerable position.
Hartman's hit doesn't really meet the grounds for suspension. It's a hit in a dangerous area, but it was a shoulder to shoulder contact, and Bouchard seemed to mostly be hurt on his tumble down to the ice.
Evan Bouchard has been having another fantastic season, scoring 6 goals and 22 points in 29 games. President Jeff Jackson recently committed to re-signing Bouchard when he becomes a restricted free agent this summer.
Hopefully Bouchard avoided any serious injury, and is able to suit up for the Oilers game tomorrow against the Vegas Golden Knights.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 13 | 157 ANSWERS Ex-Referee Comments on Evan Bouchard Incident, Oilers Provide First Injury Update Do you think Ryan Hartman should face supplemental discipline from Player Safety for this hit on Evan Bouchard? | ||
| Suspension | 67 | 42.7 % |
| Fine | 36 | 22.9 % |
| Nothing, it was a missed penalty | 48 | 30.6 % |
| See Results | 6 | 3.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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