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Tuesday, February 22, 2000
SLAM! voters condemn McSorley
(SLAM! Staff) -- Less than 24 hours after a shocking stick-swinging incident involving Boston Bruins defenceman Marty McSorley and his victim - Vancouver Canucks forward Donald Brashear - fans have resoundingly condemned the veteran tough guy's actions.In a SLAM! Sports poll, 39 per cent of the 8,249 participants felt the 36-year-old McSorley should be issued a lifetime ban by the National Hockey League. Another 45 per cent thought the defender, who has amassed 3,381 penalty minutes in 961 career games, should at least be suspended for the duration of the season.
If the NHL were to mete out the latter punishment - the equivalent of 23 games - it would be the biggest suspension in league history. In 1993 former Washington Capitals forward Dale Hunter was suspended 21 games for an after-whistle hit on Pierre Turgeon, then with the New York Islanders, after Turgeon scored a goal in the playoffs.
After he was felled by the two-handed slash, Brashear hit his head on the ice and lay with only his legs twitching as he was treated, then carried off on a stretched, blood flowing from his nose. Later, Brashear, who was diagnosed with a concussion, was alert and walking around in the dressing room.
Seven per cent of SLAM! voters called for the rugged defender to serve a 10-game suspension. An additional seven per cent of respondents believed that no suspension should be issued and that Brashear and McSorley should settle the matter on the ice.
Two per cent voted to fine McSorley heavily.
Aside from their votes, fans also voiced their outrage in SLAM! newsgroups. Fans referred to McSorley's actions as "vicious" and "cowardly."
"In the real world he would be rotting in jail right now waiting to post bail," said one hockey fan. "It's high time to get serious about acts of violence such as this, as well as checks from behind or the next time we will be talking about a player becoming paralyzed or heaven forbid - killed on the ice."
One woman said that McSorley's apology is not enough and he should be charged criminally.
"I feel he should have a lifetime suspension and the Vancouver Police should be charging him with assault," said Donna Lee. In Vancouver, where the incident occurred, police were investigating whether or not to lay criminal charges against McSorley.
Peter Falk, of Calgary, concurred. "This behavior cannot be allowed in the NHL, and a strong stand must be taken. I hope the NHL has the guts to suspend McSorley permanently."
As stomach-churning as the hit was to those who were in the stands at GM Place last night or witnessed it on TV this morning, some still believed the incident was not any more severe than Anaheim Ducks defenceman Ruslan Salei's hit from behind on Dallas Stars forward Mike Modano last October.
Total Votes for this Question: 8249
45% voted for Suspend him for season
39% voted for Lifetime NHL ban
7% voted for 10 game suspension
7% voted for A McSorley/Brashear rematch
2% voted for Heavy fine
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