The Avery Rule
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I often criticize the NHL for doing things wrong. Well today, I turn over a new leaf because the NHL actually did something right for a change. |
You may have seen the replay...
Game 3 between New York and New Jersey and Rangers forward Sean Avery planted himself in the crease, facing New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur. He went on to hold his stick in the air and waved it from side to side just a few inches from Marty's mask, in hopes of screening or distracting him while the Rangers were on the power play.
Frankly, I'm not sure how Marty kept his cool because he would have lost his front teeth in our Sunday night ball hockey league. He's the league's super-pest and retribution is exactly what he was hoping for, although it never really came. However, Avery did score a short time later and that made me cringe.
Here's the definition of Unsportsmanlike Conduct in the NHL rulebook:
Players, goalkeepers and non-playing Club personell are responsible for their conduct at all times and must endeavor to prevent disorderly conduct before, during or after the game, on or off the ice and any place in the rink. The Referees may assess penalties to any of the above team or personnel for failure to do so.
Well, the N-H-L's director of hockey operations, Colin Campbell, says such activity will now lead to a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. That takes some of the pressure of making a tricky judgement call off the shoulders of the referees and should prevent any other meatheads from trying something so bush league in the future.
For once, the league did something right.
