With just 5.1 seconds left on the clock in Saturday's Battle of Ontario, Rielly delivered a cross-check to the head of Senators center Ridly Greig after he clapped bombed the puck into the empty net sealing the Senators' 5-3 win instead of simply tapping it in.
Now, this suspension isn't just about Rielly. It's a bold statement from the NHL about the importance of player safety and fair play on the ice. There will no doubt debate from hockey fans about who broke the unwritten rule. While one could defend Rielly's response as a natural reaction in the heat of the moment, it's also an unnecessary and dangerous play with no place in the game. Greig or Rielly. Who's side are you on?
