The hit that Erie Otter forward Mike Liambas delivered to Kitchener's Ben Fanelli last Friday night has been debated every which way. Many feel the hit delivered to Fanelli was a clean one even though it left him with a fractured skull and in serious condition in a Hamilton hospital. Others feel it was a cheap shot and one that should result in severe punishment.
The debate will heat up again now that punishment has been decided. Liambas is done for the year. His junior career is over. The 20 year old has been suspended for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs.
I am one that thinks the hit was a good one and that Fanelli turned away from it which was the wrong thing to do. Thus I obviously think this suspension is a little harsh. Will it deter players from delivering big checks? That is what OHL commissioner David Branch is hoping.
3 comments:
It was a good hit! If the kid doesn't turn away from it or has his helmet strapped on, both are still playing. Bad call!
Definitely a harsh call. Even though the hit was within the rules, 10-15 would have been punishment enough. Bertuzzi's punishment wasn't that harsh and his act was premeditated. Hope the kid has a chance to appeal.
David Branch was on OTR this afternoon and said he considered the "speed" on the hit. Does this mean that a guy can't be skating now when he hits someone? This is a very unfortunate accident, but its part of hockey. The game is as Mike Milbury calls it had another chapter of "wussification" added to it.
Ken
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