Dustin Kohn suspended for 3 games - Hmm...

News has broken this evening that Dustin Kohn has been suspended for 3 games for what has been stated by the Elite League as cross-checking.

That in itself is poor wording from the EIHL. I don't see how you can get a ban for cross-checking. I'll explain why in this case.

The suspension has been handed out for a 3rd period incident between Kohn and Nottingham Panthers forward Robert Farmer.

After a whistle, Farmer was in the vicinity of the Steelers goal, as was Kohn and for whatever reason, Kohn started to cross-check Farmer, 3 or 4 times and during one of those post whistle cross checks, his stick got high and caught Farmer in the face/head area.

In my opinion, this incident was always going to be reviewed, because of the area in which impact was made.

That being said, it is not a simple cross-checking penalty. It surely has to be checking to the head because that is what Kohn actually did, albeit accidentally. He was cross-checking Farmer to start with to rough him up a bit. That's what most defencemen do, especially if an opposition player has done something to warrant getting shoved around!

That is why the wording on the EIHL press release is very poor, because it only states cross-checking. It is either excessive cross-checking (seeing as Kohn cross-checked Farmer multiple times) or it is checking to the head, which as I've said before is actually what he did. He accidentally cross-checked Farmer in the face/head.

Now, as for the ban itself, it is said that the offense carries an automatic 3 match ban. Fair enough, but I think that it should be appealed, for two reasons.

Firstly, being that the wording by the league on it's press release is very poor. They have stated that the ban is for cross-checking, not checking to the head, which is the correct call.

Secondly, would be because the impact itself was accidental, not in any way shape or form malicious and also didn't cause any injury to Farmer. It was actually no different to one player roughing another after a whistle, only Kohn caught Farmer with his stick instead of the glove.

At most, upon review the offense should have warranted a 2+10 being added to Kohn's record, not a 3 game suspension.

Common sense should really be used at times...

Speaking of things being added to records...at the same time as the Kohn suspension being announced, it was also announced that Robert Dowd was having a 5+game for charging to his record for the 1st period incident with Boxhill, in which he was initially assessed a 2 minute minor for elbowing.

I'll say that again...ELBOWING.

It can't be both elbowing and charging. It's one or the other, and it certainly wasn't charging! Boxhill had his head down as he played the puck and Dowd came across the ice, finished his check and cleaned house in doing so.

Both of these incidents of supplementary discipline are somewhat baffling, for very different reasons.

Also, for the record, I'm not saying this as a Steelers fan, I'm saying this as a hockey fan, and those that know me personally will know that I mean it when I say it.

Whilst the Dowd part cannot be appealed, I fully expect the Steelers to appeal the Kohn suspension. I will be staggered if the league uphold the suspension.

Hanson has done well so far this season with his suspensions and supplementary reviews (apart from the Henley incident with Fulton and then the Henley incident with Spencer), but he's got these two wrong in my eyes.

Also, just another quick point. Nickerson of the Flyers had his 12 game suspension reduced from 12 games to 9. WHY?! It was an offense worthy of 12 games for the reasons first stated by the league when the original suspension was handed out! You can't help but wander who overturns these decisions sometimes because if it's not Hanson then his work is being undermined.

Incidents like this are partly why at times this league is seen as a bit of a bush league. It could be so much better than what it is if common sense was used more often with regards to suspensions/discipline and if some officials didn't carry egos with them onto the ice.

Oh well, it'll all come good in time...I hope...

You know what to do guys.

@IAmMcCausland
@TomWalkeden
@AwkwardGinge
@FrozenSteelBlog

Cheers!

Alan
@AwkwardGinge