Detroit Red Wings Kyle Quincey gets one-game suspension for elbowing Florida Panthers' Tomas Kopecky
Detroit Red Wings’ veteran defenseman, Kyle Quincey, was awarded a one-game suspension on Monday, April 2, 2012, by the National Hockey League’s (NHL) department of player safety for his elbow to the head of Florida Panthers’ right winger, Tomas Kopecky.
The incident occurred during Detroit’s Sunday night matchup against Florida, in which the Red Wings managed to take down Panthers, 2-1, in a shoot victory. It was during the third period in which the elbowing happened, giving Quincey a major penalty and
forcing Kopecky to leave the game to be assessed.
Fortunately, the Florida forward did make it back to complete the game and nothing serious is suspected.
The NHL’s vice president for player safety and hockey operations, Brendan Shanahan, made the announcement through a video after reviewing the incident. It was expected that the league’s chief disciplinarian would hand down at least two games for Quincey,
but taking into view that he was also assessed a major penalty, the league decided one would suffice.
Reviewing the incident, it is easy to see that Quincey intended on charging at the Florida forward with full force as he launched himself into the air and collided with a helpless Kopecky. Quincey deemed it to be a result of trying to defend himself but
the video clearly shows that the Florida player has no way of attacking him in anyway.
"As the two players come together, Quincey leaps into the air, launching himself and making significant contact with Kopecky's face... despite Quincey's assertion that he was simply bracing to counter hit Kopecky, the fact of the matter is that Kopecky never
did attempt to throw a hit on this play... Any time a player launches prior to contact and makes excessive contact with an opponent's head, he subjects himself to scrutiny and the possibility that he may receive supplemental discipline,” Shanahan said in the
video.
When contacted for comment on the decision, Wings’ head coach, Mike Babcock, termed it as something Shanahan is doing to make the NHL a safer place to play and taking all necessary action is supported by him and the team.
Quincey will not be playing against St. Louis Blues on Wednesday but will be eligible to join Detroit Red Wings against New Jersey Devils at home on Thursday.
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