Timo Meier was given a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for cross-checking Zachary L’Heureux’s head. Meier also had a hearing from the NHL Department of Player Safety and was given a one-game suspension for it. This post is a quick reaction to the news.
Timo Meier of the New Jersey Devils was given a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct in the third period of Monday’s 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators. The Devils killed off the penalty with just one shot allowed and Justin Dowling scored that fifth goal into an empty net shortly thereafter. However, Meier’s night was done and per the NHL, he will sit for one more night. Meier had a phone hearing with the league earlier today and he has been suspended for one game for that penalty.
The incident in the game came with over seven minutes left. Here is a video someone took from the MSGSN broadcast of the penalty. Timo Meier attempted a shot that Scott Wedgewood stopped. After the shot, the whistle was blown and Predator forward Zachary L’Heureux shoved Meier from behind. Meier turned, shoved back, and then cross-checked L’Heureux in the mouth. L’Heureux went down, Meier appeared to have shoved him while down, Colton Sissons came in, and a large scrum ensued. The fans at the Rock were happy at the push back and unhappy that it was reviewed and called a major penalty with a game misconduct.
It is true that L’Heureux has a dirty streak to his game going back to his days in major junior hockey. It is true that shoving someone in the back after a shot on net and a whistle is generally something a pest does. It is further true that Meier “fought back” and that was what people appreciated. Something many would say now given that the major penalty was not punished by a goal in what was then a 4-2 game. It was a still a stupid decision by Meier. Retaliation acts are usually called as penalties in games. Hitting someone in the face with your stick is definitely a penalty even if it is not retaliation. And given it was assessed and reviewed as a major penalty, some blood was even drawn. As a result, the league took it a step further and given Meier a one game suspension for this act.
Is it fair? Depends on your memory. Ross Colton did something similar to Meier and was only fined. Meier is not being fined. However, Auston Matthews did something similar and received a two-game suspension. Which is one more game than Timo Meier has received. Is the NHL Department of Player Safety consistent? No. And that is by design. I am sure someone will eventually bring up a certain member of Our Hated Rivals; I assure you, I do not care.
Mostly because the league has made its decision. As usual, it is trying to have its cake and eat it too. A game means they can claim they care at least a little bit about a shot to the head and send a message that, no, you cannot do that. A game also means that the suspension is so light that the union will not say anything about challenging it. A game further means that Meier is willing to Pay the Price to Stand Up for Himself and that is a Good Thing Because Ken Daneyko Says So and so forth. I am on record stating that these suspensions do not do much good as both the league and the player’s union are not interested in changing the status quo. To that end, I am not a huge fan of the suspension even if I think shots to the head should be given significant ones because a significant one was not given. But something to punish stupid things is better than nothing and Meier’s shot at L’Heureux was stupid regardless.
So it goes. Timo Meier is out for tomorrow’s game against the Jim Montgomery-coached St. Louis Blues. He should return for Friday’s afternoon game in Detroit.