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Raffi Torres receives four-game suspension for hit on Jordan Eberle, including two playoff games

Canucks Oilers Hockey

Vancouver Canucks’ Raffi Torres, left, fights with the Edmonton Oilers’ Ryan O’Marra during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, on Tuesday, April 5, 2011. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, John Ulan)

AP

At this point, the gang at PHT - along with countless fans, writers and other people who follow the sport - have gone beyond the point of being flabbergasted with the NHL’s rulings on fines and suspensions. The latest blind dart throw comes in relation to the four-game suspension the NHL handed to Vancouver Canucks forward Raffi Torres for his brutal hit to the head on Edmonton Oilers rookie Jordan Eberle.

This means that Torres will be forced to sit out Vancouver’s last two regular season games and two playoff games for his irresponsible action.

The fact that he won’t play in two games that actually matter softens the blow of what I think is an insufficient penalty. If you ask me, this hit was one of the worst types: an absolutely unnecessary hit to the head that clearly could have been avoided. It’s obvious that Torres had no interest in getting the puck in this exchange, making it tough (though still possible) to argue against the possibility that it was a malicious hit. The fact that he was so ready to drop his gloves after delivering that sickening check indicates two things: he either has a great sense of hearing or knew what he did would generate an appropriately angry response. Or both, I guess.

(To be fair, hard hits are often countered with fights, even if they are legal.)

Perhaps the only good news is that Eberle told reporters he isn’t experiencing any linger effects from that check.

People can go back and forth about whether or not Torres it was a blind side hit/elbow, but either way, this is the kind of behavior the NHL needs to eliminate. Honestly, a Matt Cooke-inspired first round suspension would have been just fine with me, even if Torres lacks the kind of resume of nonsense Cooke brings to the table.

Take a look at the hit and decide for yourself if the NHL made the right call.