NHL Renders Verdict on Aaron Rome

[RGM81]

Please keep the discussion civil and do not bring the sentiments into the Cup Finals Thread. We don't want to have to lock the discussion thread about the biggest series of the year.

Now, the result.

Rome has been suspended for four games - also known as the rest of the series.

[Wickabee]

This doesn't surprise me. Personally, I don't think there should have been any suspension, but Rome on the ice would have caused the Bruins to go headhunting, so taking him out isn't a bad idea.

[Craig2]

I am amazed at the number of people blaming Horton for "admiring the pass," or such similar comments. It doesn't matter if Horton's head was up, down, or spinning around in circles - no player should have to be constantly vigilant about the possibility of taking a vicious hit when they don't have the puck. If we had players constantly having to worry about being hit regardless of whether or not they have the puck, hockey would not be nearly as beautiful a game to watch and we'd have a return to the ugly sport the NHL had become pre-strike.

As for "admiring the pass," is it not the job of the player to follow the development of the play as Horton did? My guess is that he was probably thinking, "where should I go from here" rather than, "Oh my, wasn't that a nice pass I made?" In my experience I was always much more concerned with following the play than with worrying that some idiot was going to blindside me.

I'm glad he was suspended, although a Rome for Horton tradeoff certainly benefits the Canucks.

[RGM81]

NHL's statement:

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Aaron Rome has been suspended for four games for delivering a late hit to Boston Bruins forward Nathan Horton in Game Three of the Stanley Cup Final, the National Hockey League announced today.

"Two factors were considered in reaching this decision," said NHL Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Mike Murphy. "The hit by Rome was clearly beyond what is acceptable in terms of how late it was delivered after Horton had released the puck and it caused a significant injury."

Rome was assessed a five-minute major penalty for interference and game misconduct at 5:07 of the first period.

Rome will miss the remainder of the Stanley Cup Final series. In the event that the Final ends before Game 7, the suspension will carry over to the start of the 2011-12 regular season.

[Wickabee]

All things aside, Rome must be pretty mad about this, considering there was no suspension on the hit that put him out for a couple games.

[G0SHARKSG0]

I am surprised at the length but not surprised he got suspended. This was a dirty hit and needs to be taken out of the game.

The hit on Rome was not even close to as severe of an injury or dirty as this one was. I don't think they can even compare

[geschrocks33]

I'm surprised they gave him 4 games, I expected 1 or 2 but not 4

[Wickabee]

The hit on Rome was not even close to as severe of an injury or dirty as this one was. I don't think they can even compare

It was from behind into the boards. Severity of injury shouldn't play into it. Dirty is dirty.

[0zack0]

1 - Rome didn't hit him in the head. He hit him in the chest. Horton's head bounced off the ice. I have no problem with the call that was made, but the theatrics with the stretcher was a little much.

2 - Thomas's hit on Sedin was interference.

3 - How much interference is Chara going to be allowed in this series?

um quick qestion hows it interference if he had the puck?
the stretcher was no "much" that scum rome is a goon
chara actually hits...something those canucks are not used to

[0zack0]

Here's a video of the hit:
http://gifninja.com/animatedgifs/399...-on-horton.gif

Judge it by yourself.

shoulder right to the face???