Bunting got 5 and a game for elbow to the head of Cernak (suspended 3 games)

[Dr Pepper]

I love how even in the replay vid that keeps getting thrown around here - which itself is only a snippet of Leafs superfan Steve Dangle's entire video, even Dangle himself is bashing Bunting for such a deflating, idiotic play.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

3 games.

 

[miscs75]

My take...

Cernak wears a Tampa sweater. Cernak is open season for whatever happens to him on ice as his punishment for playing for Tampa, the New York Yankees of the NHL.

Tough for Tampa....it's what they get for being in power and in Gary's ear writing his cheques.

> = P

Tampa is more like the Houston Astros of the NHL.

 

[toddkaz]

For me that's not suspension worthy.

I don't think so either but I could see 1 game. Anything more than that and its excessively punitive.

 

[Enga Olly]

As a Leaf fan, I think this should be 2 games for sure, wouldn't be mad if it's more.

Of course this means Leaf-haters on HF will say all Leaf fans think it's a clean hit that didn't deserve 2 minutes

 

[NyQuil]

Of course this means Leaf-haters on HF will say all Leaf fans think it's a clean hit that didn't deserve 2 minutes

It appears to be mostly one guy with his "ask someone to collide with you in the hallway" interpretation.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

That hit is always a match penalty, or should be. Dirty.

Yup. It's important to remember that the puck was nowhere in the area. This wasn't a hit gone bad. Cernak was completely ineligible to be hit.

 

[Tanknation]

No puck
Charge
Left his feet
Principal point was head
Used his elbow

Should be minimum 2 games but deserves 3 easy. But we know it's the NHL so he will get 5k and a free dinner.

 

[BMOK33]

I wonder if Cernak is back in game 2...given the game was a a blowout Tampa had no incentive to bring him back for the 3rd knowing they might be able to work the league for a longer suspension as we know so often these things are results based

 

[NyQuil]

I wonder if Cernak is back in game 2...given the game was a a blowout Tampa had no incentive to bring him back for the 3rd knowing they might be able to work the league for a longer suspension as we know so often these things are results based

Running with 4 defencemen for an entire period of a playoff game also increases the odds of injury for the remaining guys, regardless of the score.

Hedman was already out of the game.

I can't imagine Cooper would want to double shift his defensive pairings if he didn't have to.

 

[BobClarkesfrontteeth]

It appears to be mostly one guy with his "ask someone to collide with you in the hallway" interpretation.

Which is hilarious in itself. I am a big guy basically the same size as Cernak and I have yet to have a 6 foot person change direction and shoulder me in the face while walking in a crowd. Maybe we need an episode of Myth Busters.

 

[Tasteless Beaver]

It’ll be a one game suspension - it would’ve been 2 if he didn’t get called for the major and a game misconduct as a result. Gross hit.

 

[Prettyisland]

I agree with the first part but doesn’t this guy have a reputation for being a clown?
It’s 3 games for me

I wouldn’t be surprised if he got 1. I just think this is unfortunate result of a borderline play on opportunity to gain control of the puck. It wasn’t a blatant intent to injure targeting. I’m a habs fan who hates the leafs and bunting. But there needs to be a separation of these two types of plays in my opinion

 

[Kranix]

Wes McCauley should recuse himself from the rest of the series. Clearly he's on Tampa's payroll, or the league is telling him to target Bunting, or something. This is total phantom bs

 

[NyQuil]

I just think this is unfortunate result of a borderline play on opportunity to gain control of the puck. It wasn’t a blatant intent to injure targeting. I’m a habs fan who hates the leafs and bunting. But there needs to be a separation of these two types of plays in my opinion

It'd be a lot easier to believe that if the puck was nearby.

The fact that it was Cernak doesn't help Bunting's case as they already had an altercation earlier in the game.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Two games minimum for a guy who already has a reputation. Hope Cernak is able to play soon. He’s a playoff warrior for the Bolts.

 

[Kranix]

This is one of those borderline plays JT was talking about. Total bias here.

 

[T REX]

If that hit was made by Joe Schmo, then yeah its probably a 2 min call tops.

But like Marchand, Bunting doesn't get (or deserve) any benefit of the doubt

That is 2 games minimum by any player including mcjesus. That's a predatory hit and I hope they suspend him for 5 games.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

I wouldn’t be surprised if he got 1. I just think this is unfortunate result of a borderline play on opportunity to gain control of the puck. It wasn’t a blatant intent to injure targeting. I’m a habs fan who hates the leafs and bunting. But there needs to be a separation of these two types of plays in my opinion

An opportunity to gain control of the puck? The puck was along the boards and neither Cernak nor Bunting were skating towards it.

 

[A1LeafNation]

this the guy some folks are complaining is treated unfair by officials.

To be fair he is treated unfairly. Having said that throw the book at him for this play. Idiotic headhsot.

 

[BMOK33]

I wouldn’t be surprised if he got 1. I just think this is unfortunate result of a borderline play on opportunity to gain control of the puck. It wasn’t a blatant intent to injure targeting. I’m a habs fan who hates the leafs and bunting. But there needs to be a separation of these two types of plays in my opinion

It did come off to me as a "get the F off of me elbow" I do not think he knew what part of his body he was going to hit as his eyes were looking the other way, Unfortunately it was his face but yeah I do not think Bunting intended to elbow Cernak in the face but he did intend to elbow him probably in his midsection or arm

 

[Kranix]

I wouldn’t be surprised if he got 1. I just think this is unfortunate result of a borderline play on opportunity to gain control of the puck. It wasn’t a blatant intent to injure targeting. I’m a habs fan who hates the leafs and bunting. But there needs to be a separation of these two types of plays in my opinion

Yeah totally. the puck needs to be within 100 feet of the players for it to be "fighting for control"

 

[GQS]

As I said you have never hit people on the ice or been hit. If you are not prepared for a hit as you say Bunting was not, then you do not change your positioning and move towards the hit or leap off your feet.
When delivering a hit on ice if you leap/leave your feet you lose power not increase it. Staying planted and driving through with your lower body as you use the laws of inertia gives you a far better hit. Like I said it takes a lot of practice to give and receive hit on ice and Bunting has had that practice. He was throwing a hit.

Again look at the video I posted which shows the entire incident. Which timestamp shows Bunting purposely hitting Cernak? At 1:43:05 you clearly see Cernak TURNING INTO Bunting when he was looking the other way.

Also that's what I said. You stay planted while delivering the hit. Bunting makes contact with Cernak close to upright and then lifts up abit after the contact. His shoulder was tensed upward instinctually to try and absorb the impact as best he can and NOT throwing it out to hit Cernak like many are claiming he did.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Bunting is a moron. If it wasn't for him the Leafs were likely to tie the game at 3. They had all the momentum swinging to their side.

 

[centipede2233]

He would have adapted, still play with an edge but he'd of fallen in line with the rules.

I agree, but it just goes to,show,you human behaviour, if it’s “allowed” humans will do it. Back then head shots were seen just as a normal thing so why not.