When it comes to NHL's centers, Scott Nichol is not usually who we think of. However, in the upcoming days his name will gain some exposure for all the wrong reasons.
I've observed in recent days that the NHL and NBA are quite the sociological study. Let's go back to Nichol. During a game between the Nashville Predators and Buffalo Sabres, it seems Sabres defenseman Jaroslav Spacek upset Nichol sufficiently enough to be hunted from behind and sucker punched à la Todd Bertuzzi. The crime so to speak? Spacek rode Nichol into the boards. What makes this act of blatant stupidity all the more warped is the fact that Spacek was assessed a penalty and skated away. That's when Nichol decided to turn vigilante and the hunt was on.
Spacek lay on the ice for several minutes and appeared to be thankfully all right. The NHL subsequently handed Nichol a laughable nine game suspension. I realize I'm a "non-essential" (to steal TSN's Pierre McQuire's jargon) but nine games seems to be a tad low — especially in light of what the NHL just went through with Bertuzzi — and Marty McSorley before him. And Gary Suter (recall his vicious crosscheck to the face on Paul Kariya) before him and Dave Brown's horrible assault on Tomas Sandstrom of the Rangers (in a similar incident to Suter's) before that.
It needs to be pointed out here that I'm not talking about fighting. I'm discussing cowardly acts that give the sport a negative eye. Unfortunately, this is the sort of stuff that gets plastered all over newscasts in parts of the U.S. that could not care less about hockey. The NHL does not protect its image nearly far enough. Note to Commissioner Gary Bettman and Colin 'Colie' Campbell: Image and perception is everything boys.
The NHL doesn’t get it. They see life in a completely different prism from its fan base. As far as I can see, fans in all sports want to see the powers that be punish misbehaving athletes as harshly as they can. None of this paltry nickels and dimes fines and low-ball suspensions. If the NHL truly and honestly cared (and I think they do have the hearts in the right place) they would have thrown the book at Nichol.
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Article comments
1 - hockeyfan
Stern? No thanks, one loser from the NBA running the NHL has been more than enough. We don't need Bettman Part 2.
2 - alessandro nicolo
I guess they are cut from the same cloth given that Bettman comes from the NBA. Stern seems more involved though. I didn't truly mean he should come over. But I would welcome a person who would not pretend things are so rosy all the time and be more proactive. Intsted we get superficial stuff about shoot-outs and bigger hockey nets. This is not what will make hockey more popular in the U.S. Speaking of which, what's wrong with the leaner is meaner philosophy for the NHL? Focus on the areas that have organically strong hockey markets. Strengthen that base. Instead we expand when we already have weak links like the Devils who get scant support. The Islanders are in trouble and let's not talk about the Penguins. Something tells me the problem is deeper. I know guys like Mcguire think the league is headed in the right direction. I know many do not agree.