[BenLurkin]

[jwalsh07]

I dunno. I saw it. Could be he got his bell rung and his first instinct on coming to was to hit something. I admit that is being generous.

[dfwgator]

"THIS IS HOCKEY!"

[Brasky]

But he cross checked the ref. Dumb move. Regardless of being hit. You cant hit the ref.

[certrtwngnut]

This picture seems to show him going to the Predators bench.

[Hebrews 11:6]

His skating motions back toward the bench appeared completely normal. In my view he just snapped--lost control of his emotions and cheap-shotted an official with his back to him. No impulse control.

I understand the standard suspension is twenty games. If I were the NHL commissioner, I would ban him outright for the balance of this season and all of the next, forfeiting his salary. Send a message. I expect the referees will be demanding stern punishment.

Of course, the NHL does not have an actual commissioner.