Brad Boyes Suspended for Two Preseason Games

[VodkaFish]

NEW YORK – Buffalo Sabres forward Brad Boyes has been suspended for two preseason games for an illegal hit to the head of Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joe Colborne during a preseason game on September 24, National Hockey League Senior Vice President of Player Safety Brendan Shanahan announced today.

The incident occurred at 1:46 of the first period.

Boyes will miss preseason games tonight at Columbus and Friday at Washington. He is eligible to return Oct. 4 vs. Adler in Manheim, Germany.

A full explanation of Shanahan’s decision, complete with video, will be available on NHL.com later this evening.

[bengino]

so in other words... it's as if he isn't suspended at all... oh hum.

[NJDevils17]

Originally Posted by bengino

so in other words... it's as if he isn't suspended at all... oh hum.

He doesn't forfeit any pay either.

Boyes hit on Colborne 9/24/11 - YouTube

[Humpzilla]

Originally Posted by NJDevils17

He doesn't forfeit any pay either.

Boyes hit on Colborne 9/24/11 - YouTube

Then whats the fuking point then?!?!?

[NJDevils17]

Originally Posted by Humpzilla

Then whats the fuking point then?!?!?

The only thing I can think of is that now Boyes will have a "record," so in case he does something again, this "suspension" will play a role in another suspension.

[leafkillz]

Though it isnt really a suspension at all. I'm ready to go and kick Shanahan's ass.

[McDonald19]

Non-fighter so he gets a lil slap on the wrist.

Shanahan maybe you aren't the right man for the job after all.

[I_am_Belak_2]

If that was McCormick or Z. Kassian, they'd get 10 games minimum. Looks like Campbell's flowchart of suspensions is still hanging on the office wall.

[FightingIsGood]

Obviously Campbell left behind his Dartboard O' Justice. How does Boyes not sit for any regular season games? Oh that's right, he's not a plugger or a goon. Silly me.

[lakingsfan19]

Once again.. FU(K you Shanahan.


It's going to be a long season.. Get ready for soccer on ice.

[ocrage]

you people whining are little baby's. he's a small, first time offender who didn't go into the play with the intent of hitting him. he was going for the puck like the the video obviously, and instead of playing the body when the opportunity for a hit came up, he went for the head. and because of the fact that he's not a 6'4 220+ guy, the hit wasnt THAT bad, and it was his first time doing it, there weren't any real grounds to give him a hefty suspension. shanahan gave him his 2 games in hopes he will learn from that and just not do it again, and like someone said above, now if he does it again, he will get in a lot more trouble because he should have known the consequences.

open your minds, shanahan did the best possible call for this play.

[JKidd]

My god.. a power forward can't make a move to the net and protect himself?

The boarding suspensions I can tolerate and accept. This one? This is as chincy as it gets.

[bengino]

Originally Posted by ocrage

you people whining are little baby's. he's a small, first time offender who didn't go into the play with the intent of hitting him. he was going for the puck like the the video obviously, and instead of playing the body when the opportunity for a hit came up, he went for the head. and because of the fact that he's not a 6'4 220+ guy, the hit wasnt THAT bad, and it was his first time doing it, there weren't any real grounds to give him a hefty suspension. shanahan gave him his 2 games in hopes he will learn from that and just not do it again, and like someone said above, now if he does it again, he will get in a lot more trouble because he should have known the consequences.

open your minds, shanahan did the best possible call for this play.

the point is that this ISN'T a suspension though, i'm not calling for a lengthy suspension on this play, and clearly it isn't that bad the video is proof of this... however, if you (and by this i mean Shanahan) want to send a message you have to make it mean something... maybe have Boyes sit a regular season game.. it will look like a 3-4 game suspension (not sure how many pre-season games Buffalo has left) but in reality will be just the one... that's all i'm getting at.

[I_am_Belak_2]

Originally Posted by ocrage

you people whining are little baby's. he's a small, first time offender who didn't go into the play with the intent of hitting him. he was going for the puck like the the video obviously, and instead of playing the body when the opportunity for a hit came up, he went for the head. and because of the fact that he's not a 6'4 220+ guy, the hit wasnt THAT bad, and it was his first time doing it, there weren't any real grounds to give him a hefty suspension. shanahan gave him his 2 games in hopes he will learn from that and just not do it again, and like someone said above, now if he does it again, he will get in a lot more trouble because he should have known the consequences.

open your minds, shanahan did the best possible call for this play.

That's a perfect example of a double standard. "He's small, his first time". That shouldn't matter.

[Isles4life]

Here's the latest Shanahan video explanation:

http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/con...d=35&id=124715

Honestly, there's not much point in comparing this suspension to the Shelley and Leblond decisions. This was for the new rule essentially making all contact to the head illegal, the others were from hits from behind (which although also a recently modified rule, has always been illegal). We'll have plenty of opportunity to complain about inconsistency I'm sure, but trying to equate this decision to the others isn't that easy.

Personally, I don't think this should be a suspendable play at all, for anyone, and I'm not sold on the idea that Boyes was deliberately trying to make contact with the head, although it did end up being his primary area of contact. But the league gets its first opportunity to flex its muscles about this new headshot rule they're so proud of. Of course, Brad Boyes previously had a clean record, so he's not going to get a more severe punishment for something that shouldn't even be suspendable, but sadly is.