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Esme's Blog: Reforming Hockey

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It has been only eight days since the horrific injury that left Jack Jablonski paralyzed. For all the outpouring, there has also been an underlying discussion about the need to take a tougher stand on the kind of hit that took Jablonski down.

It was a check from behind, the most dangerous hit there is. The player who hit Jablonski was initially given a two minute penalty, then ejected after the injury was apparent. Checks from behind can happen accidentally. But too often, as was the case in the Owatonna/Winona game, the hit appears intentional.

That hit resulted in a bench clearing brawl. Why not institute, for an intentional check from behind, an automatic ejection and multi-game suspension? For an accidental check from behind there should be an ejection with perhaps a one game suspension.

Too harsh? Some hockey fans might say yes. And it is true it is impossible to eliminate 100 percent the risks in any sport or activity. But this Hockey Mom says the price of not cracking down is, as we have seen these past eight days, far too cruel and devastating.

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