Tom Kostopoulos blindsided Brad Stuart with a high hit on Friday and will forfeit his next six games to serve a suspension. Colin Campbell came down hard on the Flames forward, as his check broke Stuart's jaw and he is expected to miss four to six weeks recovering.
Calgary’s Tom Kostopoulos Suspended Six Games For Brad Stuart Headshot
Detroit won 5-4 after a shootout, but that is beside the point. For those of you who may have missed the play, it can be seen below.
Campbell got it right for a change, as all of the elements were present to warrant a suspension: a late hit, receiver is in a vulnerable position and the head was targeted. Kostopoulos gave his opinion on the sequence, stressing disbelief at the punishment.
"I'm extremely disappointed in the League's ruling as I believe I have not done anything illegal," he said. "I'm sorry that Brad was hurt on the play and I hope he returns to play soon, but it was never my intention to injure him and I definitely did not target the head."
While this is a step in the proper direction for the league's intent to eliminate head shots, it will be meaningless if strict punishments continue to be a rarity.
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