Byfuglien suspended 4 games for crosscheck to J.T. Miller's neck

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

I don't think of Buff as this kind of player, but this is one of the more vicious crosschecks I've seen in a while. Right to the back of Miller's neck.

The better replay is at the very end of the YT.

He's getting an phone hearing. So probably a suspension, but less than 5 games.

http://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/735351

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

This "intent to injure" is what's got to be removed from the game. I know tempers can run high but jeez try and use your head.

[chaps80 1,591]

Buff is a star player, so he might get 1 game.

[HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878]

What a piece of s***.

[kliq 3,755]

This is the kind of crap that needs to be eliminated from the game.

If he gets a light suspension which I'm guessing he will, its just going to encourage him to do it again, the reason why...Fear Byfuglien puts in opponents > suspension = Him doing it again.

[GMRwings1983 8,793]

Fat Albert acts tough and talks a lot of trash, but fights only about twice a year. Reminds me a lot of Bryan Bickell in that sense.

Another player who'd have trouble existing in the 80's and 90's without having to back it up.

Edited April 2, 2015 by GMRwings1983

[RedWingsRox 614]

Depending on length of suspension, he might have just cost his team the 8th spot because of that dick move.

The idiot happens to be their best player right now. Imagine that ... working so hard all season to get to where they are now, could be wasted. If I was team mate, I don't know whether to beat his arse or stomp on it.

[Ally 448]

I've seen a lot of people on Reddit and other forums today saying how he shouldn't be vilified for this because it was heat of the moment and obviously dangerous but caused no injury. It makes me angry because those same people will insult Bertuzzi at every turn even though the difference is only in the result.

(I don't feel like I've expressed that thought as well as I'd like to but it's 1am and my third try at typing it so I give up.)

[wings4thecup06 504]

Yea this is just stupid. I mean, honestly, why would you cross check someone like that when they're down and defenceless.

Absolutely insane. Byfuglien has a phone hearing today, but really, why isn't this a 5+ game suspension? The league really needs to start clamping down on this s***. Give him 20 games. That'll scare the crap out of players

[kipwinger 8,495]

I don't have a problem with it. Cross checks are part of the game. Always have been, and always will be.

[GMRwings1983 8,793]

I don't have a problem with it. Cross checks are part of the game. Always have been, and always will be.

What Bufflin needs is 5 minutes alone in a closet with Bryan McGrattan. Then he'll change his evil ways.

[kipwinger 8,495]

What Bufflin needs is 5 minutes alone in a closet with Bryan McGrattan. Then he'll change his evil ways.

Bufflin? Love it.

[Hack & Whack Rule! 160]

I just wanted to write "Bufflin".

[GMRwings1983 8,793]

I just wanted to write "Bufflin".

I also recommend writing "Tayes" when you're talking about Chicago's captain.

[kliq 3,755]

I don't have a problem with it. Cross checks are part of the game. Always have been, and always will be.

But Kip, this was to the back of the neck. Every argument you have given about concussions can be applied here.

I've seen a lot of people on Reddit and other forums today saying how he shouldn't be vilified for this because it was heat of the moment and obviously dangerous but caused no injury. It makes me angry because those same people will insult Bertuzzi at every turn even though the difference is only in the result.

(I don't feel like I've expressed that thought as well as I'd like to but it's 1am and my third try at typing it so I give up.)

People still need to be responsible for their actions in the heat of the moment. I am not saying the guy is scum or anything, but what he did was dangerous and IMO goes beyond what is acceptable in the game of hockey.

[Mckinley25 677]

What Bufflin needs is 5 minutes alone in a closet with Bryan McGrattan. Then he'll change his evil ways.

Because McGrattan is so good at making out?

[GMRwings1983 8,793]

Because McGrattan is so good at making out?

Sure looks like it.

[ami 273]

http://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/735351

On this video, does anyone notice a man on skates wearing black-and-white stripes shirt and black pants right behind Byfuglien while he delivered that crosscheck?

I was wondering what he was doing there? Who allowed him on the rink during the game? And if he was authorized to be there, to what purpose exactly?

[wings4thecup06 504]

I don't have a problem with it. Cross checks are part of the game. Always have been, and always will be.

Not when the cross check is right in his cervical vertebrae and a fracture there could severe his spinal cord and leave him paralysed.

Edited April 2, 2015 by wings4thecup06

[Mckinley25 677]

Sure looks like it.

Since he can't play hockey, and enforcing clearly is ineffective, I think he's found his true calling, instead of a 5 minute major, send the dirty players for seven minutes of heaven with McGratton and we'll see cheap shots disappear!

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

He got 4 games. More than I thought he'd get, but not as many as he deserved.

NHL Player Safety @NHLPlayerSafety · 55m55 minutes ago

Winnipeg's Dustin Byfuglien has been suspended four games for cross-checking NY Rangers' J.T. Miller. Video: http://ow.ly/3xGeTf

Though honestly given Miller was ok, the Jets are trying to make the playoffs and Byfuglien is a huge part of that, 4 games is actually pretty good given what the league typically does. It shows just how dangerous they must've thought this crosscheck was.

[ami 273]

4 games: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=761122&navid=nhl:topheads

Not bad.

I'd also like to see suspension to both referees of this game.

[freshy 181]

Think he should have gotten the 5, but 4 sits ok with me. These 4 at the end of the season with the drive to try & secure a playoff spot are going to impact the 'Peg dearly and for that Big Buff will have a lot of soul searching to do if it ends up costing his team a playoff spot. Those 4 games are more meaningful in that sense, then if he had a 10-15 game suspension at the start or midway through a season.

[chaps80 1,591]

He only got 4 games because Bettman is still pissed the Thrashers moved to Winnipeg, where they are actually contending for the playoffs.