Occasionally, when players are deemed to have crossed a line, the National Hockey League Department of Player Safety comes knocking to either levy a fine or allow the offending party to sit down for a certain period to think about what they have done.
Recently, Parker Kelly of the Ottawa Senators was caught giving Andrea Englund an illegal check to the head late in the third period of a 3-3 tie. Due to the hit that the league deemed inexcusable, Kelly will be forced to sit for two games.
Hitting has always been part of the game and as the players have become bigger, stronger and faster, those who play on the edge have to become more aware of their actions and recognize whether their follow-through may result in a suspect hit.
Understandably, the Department of Player Safety does not necessarily have a set punishment for this type of hit and goes on a case-by-case basis. You can bet the next time Kelly or any other guilty party should expect to get something similar.
