Matt Martin drove hard directly through the back of an unsuspecting Jordan Staal with such force Martin was lifted several feet off the ice. Then with Staal laying defenceless and possibly injured (which he was), Martin chose to sit with his entire weight on his neck. This is beyond hockey.
@New York Islanders
9 Comments
Cross checking and unsportsmanlike and yes minimum three games.
"Gross Misconduct" needs to come back. That was intent to injure (Sitting on someone's head). Not to mention checking from behind, charging (the leap), and you might even sneak in late hit (interference). Combine that with the uselessness that is Matt Martin, and I'd say "Playoffs + 10 games next season". He's only out there to injure (he can't play hockey).
Several feet off the ice?? lol His right blade never makes 1 foot off the ice. Several is 3 or more, right?
The hit to the back (no stick involved) was questionable, but that happens all the time. Sometimes it's called, sometimes it isn't. Malkin/Trochek is a prime example of a non-call for a hard check to the back.
Martin got called for camping out on Staal. They should have called interference. Those refs were letting all kinds of infractions go, which is why I have no problem with the non-call when Mayfield got high sticked. He wasn't bleeding, and that seems to be the bar set by the refs.
Martin should have hit him with a folding chair… would have made the kayfabe more believable.
While Martin was sitting on Staal, Martinook could have taken one more stride with the puck, put Martin directly between himself and the net, and fired a shot straight at Martin’s face. Wouldn’t have bothered me at all.
This absolutely should have been a 5 minute major and match penalty for intent to injure,
The league and the refs aren't going to do much about this. The way I'd handle it wouldn't be to go after Martin, but Barzal. Have Barzal tell Martin to knock it off.
At a minimum intent to injure can be argued due to him sitting on top of the defenseless player he just slammed to the ice. Completely uncalled for, unprofessional, and has no business being in the game. Kick Martin out of the series at a minimum
Might be 5 + GM for interference and even suspension 3-5 games