Oh, my head. Concussion list grows. Special on Versus tonight.

The NHL concussion epidemic continues to grow; Al Montoya and David Ullstrom both were injured last night.

According to The Concussion Blog,  http://theconcussionblog.com/2011/12/08/nhl-concussion-report-12811/ , 36 NHL players have suffered concussions this season.  (This does include the last two weeks)

TSN's current injury list includes 27 with concussions (including concussion-like) and doesn't include Montoya/Ullstrom.

The hit on Montoya last night raised a thought with me that was repeated on NHLonXM earlier today.  Perhaps the NHL should look to eliminating the magnetic posts and replace them with the original posts.  Perhaps some of the bravery that comes with attacking a goalie knowing that the net will move would be eliminated.  Ironically, the magnetic posts were installed to make the game safer.

The NHL, through its referees, already has the power to make the game safer,  but I do not think that I have ever seen it enforced.

Rule 69.3 states the following:

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In all cases in which an attacking player initiates intentional or deliberate contact with a goalkeeper, whether or not the goalkeeper is inside or outside the goal crease, and whether or not a goal is scored, the attacking player will receive a penalty (minor or major, as the Referee deems appropriate).    ...

In exercising his judgment, the Referee should give more significant consideration to the degree and nature of the contact with the goalkeeper than to the exact location of the goalkeeper at the time of the contact.

>>

Have you ever seen a major penalty for goalie interference?

By the way, Versus will have a special on the concussion epidemic TONIGHT from 6:30 - 7:30pm.

 

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick