In a move straight out of the Todd Bertuzzi handbook, the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Evgeny Artyukin was suspended for taking off the Senators Antoine Vermette’s helmet, and then smashing over his head multiple times.
Is this guy insane? Sounds like something from Happy Gilmore (the only player to take his skate off and try to stab someone with it). Artyukin received only a two game suspension. I know that if I would have even attempted this in an ACHA game, I would have been done for at least the season.
I know that hockey is a violent sport, and I know Vermette is ok, but that move is unexcusable. A hockey helmet is designed to withstand a solid piece of rubber hitting it at 100 MPH. It is a sturdy instrument, and could easily kill someone if it’s smashed into their head. Just because nothing did happen to Vermette doesn’t meant that Artyukin should be let off this easily. It was essentially assault with a deadly weapon. Artyukin should not only be suspended for the rest of the season, but should be charged with a crime.
I play hockey, I know the sport. I know it’s violent, and shit happens. I have been the target of many cheap shots, and have cheap shot people a thousand times myself. Nothing like this though. This was a blatant attempt to hurt someone, and should have a much greater punishment than a two game suspension.
Click Here to go to the article on ESPN.com, which includes a video of the incident
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