I am not going to defend any decision taken by Parros. I have certainly criticized some of his past decisions, but I did not see this play. I will say that he is college educated, has played the game, and at least when I met him he was well spoken. I have criticized him in the past, but what I don't know is the direction that he is given by the league, particularly in the playoffs where a lot more physical contact seems to be tolerated or even encouraged by the league.
As for Cogs, if he has any fracture in the neck area he ought to not play until he is fully healed, not "be a man" and head back out to the ice. As a person he has responsibility for his own health, and neck injuries are particularly tricky. No game is worth potential permanent paralysis.