Campbell, Carcillo and Cammalleri

Let's face it, the NHL has officially made itself the punchline in its own joke. Now there have been some funny (not haha) rulings in the NHL playoffs over the years, but the two decisions this week leave even the most casual fan scratching their head trying to figure out the real meaning.

Now I'm not very old, contrary to what my co-workers say, but I remember way back in '87 when Ron Hextall brought the axe down on Kent Nilsson. In the wisdom of the day, Hextall was suspended 8 games, the next season. What? So he is allowed to play at the most crucial time of year, but then has to sit out the next year? WOW! That was a doozie.

But at least there was no real precedent. But what happened on the ice this week seemed to have something to go from in the very recent history.

In Game 1 between Philly and Pittsburgh, with the game out of reach and single digits on the clock, Daniel Carcillo lined up for a face-off with Max Talbot. As the puck was dropped Carcillo threw a roundhouse punch with the top hand on his stick, right to the kisser of Talbot. Suspendable offence? In the eyes of the League, Yes. Fine the Coach, Yes. Case closed.

Move one day forward, the scene Chicago. The Blackhawks are taking on the Calgary Flames. Early in the third period in a tie game, Mike Cammalleri lines up on the wing across from Martin Havlat. At the drop of the puck the Calgary forward spins and punches the Hawks Havlat in the face with the top hand on his stick. Virtually an exact replay of the incident in Pittsburgh 24 hours earlier. Suspension? Fine? Nope....Hmmm. Something smells rotten here and it isn't the players equipment.

The League says it takes into account that Cammalleri is a first time offender. Umm. Actually he still is a no time offender, because he received no discipline for his action. The NHL also states that the game situation is also a factor. It was late in a loss for Carcillo, but Cammalleri did it with 20 minutes to go in a tie game.

So by this wonderful logic, the NHL is stating that its ok to go out and murder a person, as long as they don't make more money than you and if its not on a weekend. You can drive drunk, just do it in the afternoon in a nice car. If you are good looking, you're allowed to slap your wife around a little.

Boy, am I glad that the NHL doesn't govern the real world!!!

With this extremely hypocritical set of rulings, the NHL is once again setting two standards on the ice. It's undeniable. Both acts were the same. Should it really matter who and when? Isn't this a League that says a penalty in the 1st period is a penalty in overtime? (Ask Claude Giroux that one)

Now, for the record, I don't think either player should have faced suspension. And if you recall, Brett Hull's fot was in the crease. Nuff said!