MHL needs stiffer suspensions
Coyle, Williams step into crease to deliver clutch goaltending performances for respective teams
The MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) handed out 10 suspensions in the month of March, totalling 28 games. Of those 10, four were for blows to the head, including a five-game suspension because the receiving player was injured. Otherwise, it would probably be two or three games. Another player gets only two games for the same infraction, but what is hard to believe it was his third suspension for the same thing. The one that makes little sense is the three games for running the goaltender, which took place in the Summerside/Dieppe series.
It is completely “Bush League” for a player to run a goalie, or any player for that matter. We are talking about serious infractions here that can – and has – resulted in injuries, and who knows for how long. How much more dangerous can it get than a direct blow to the head? Western Capitals goalie Christofer Langlais was having a terrific first-round series until Dieppe’s Nicholas Jessome decided he would take a run at him in Game 3.
Langlais, named the league’s regular-season top goaltender, tried to play through an injury he suffered as result of the hit, but left Game 4, has yet to return and the Caps say he is day to day.
Ten to 15 games should be the minimum for running a goalie and something similar for a blow to the head, with suspensions beginning when the injured player returns. Playoff receipts mean so much to the bottom lines of teams, and losing your best player to nothing more than reckless stupidity hurts in a lot of ways.
The MHL needs to step up and take charge – these twoor three-game suspensions for serious infractions is nothing more than a slap on the wrist to the offenders. Having 10 players suspended in one month should be a concern.
Great goaltending
Great goaltending is a must this time of year, and both Caleb Coyle and Matt Williams played huge roles in the recent success of their respective teams. Coyle took over with his team facing elimination down 3-1 in the best-of-seven provincial major midget hockey championship series, and backstopped the Kensington Wild to the recent title.
Williams relieved Langlais in the Caps’ series with Dieppe, and was very good the rest of the way.
The play of both Coyle and Williams are big reasons why their teams are playing in Miramichi, N.B. this weekend. The Wild is at the Atlantic major midget championship while the Caps open the Eastlink North Division final series with the Timberwolves on Saturday night.
Red Wings vs. Vipers
They go at it again, and will this be the year that the Western Red Wings finally dethrone the Kensington Vipers?
The Vipers are looking to make it eight Island Junior Hockey League championships in a row, but winning this year may be their toughest challenge yet.
To the surprise of many, the Vipers had a very tough time eliminating the Eastern Maniacs in a seven-game semifinal series while the Red Wings swept Sherwood-Parkdale. There is not much difference in the two teams, which will make for another great series between one of P.E.I.’s best
hockey rivalries.
NHL playoffs
The NHL playoffs are just over a week away, and there will be some great opening-round matchups.
It is looking like Columbus and Pittsburgh may meet in Round 1, which would be a great series. The big, fast and physical Blue Jackets, the surprise of the NHL this season, may cause major problems for the defending-champion Penguins.
These two teams are both in the top five in the league, but one will be out in Round 1.
It is a great time of the year for sports fans as hockey is in full swing and Major League Baseball is set to begin.
Enjoy it all, and have a great week.