The Carolina Hurricanes' Sebastian Aho (20) lies on the ice after he was hit by the Calgary Flames' Mark Giordano (5) during the third period on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. Giordano was given a game misconduct penalty. Aho did not return to the game. The Flames beat the Canes, 4-1. (Chris Seward/Raleigh News
The Carolina Hurricanes’ Sebastian Aho (20) lies on the ice after he was hit by the Calgary Flames’ Mark Giordano (5) during the third period on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. Giordano was given a game misconduct penalty. Aho did not return to the game. The Flames beat the Canes, 4-1. (Chris Seward/Raleigh News /
A concussion and lower-body injury, incurred on the same malicious hit from Calgary’s Mark Giordano on Aho, deserved a suspension handed from the NHL.
The NHL made it a priority to lock down on cheap shots and dirty hits in the past decade. Since the lockout that canceled out the 2004-05 campaign, the checking rules is a large and noticeable change in how each game is officiated and even played by some of the toughest players. Mark Giordano is a tough defender who inserted himself into this discussion.
Threat of suspension, fines, and dealing with the opponent’s “tough guy” tends to keep the bulk of the players in the league in check now. However, there’s always going to be times that the league has to deal with some controversial hits that defy the newer rules in place.
Three recent plays this season stick out as the best examples of case studies on how the league can handle player suspensions. The incident with the greatest significance was a sucker punch from Arizona Coyotes forward Zac Rinaldo on Colorado Avalanche defenseman Daniel Girardi.
That earned Rinaldo a six-game suspension, and a match penalty and game misconduct (after it happened in real time). Rinaldo had what will likely amount to the play with the least awareness and aggression of any that takes place this season.
Another hit worth highlighting is Edmonton Oilers forward Patrick Maroon putting an visibly intentional elbow into the head of Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty. Maroon also fought Doughty which likely contributed to his match penalty and suspension.
Here’s a look at the hits involving Maroon on Doughty and Giordano on Sebastian Aho.
Closer look and analyzing both hits
This particular play earned Maroon a two-game suspension and a match penalty.
Another issue that Maroon is dealing with now is the backlash from the Oilers organization for that cheap shot on Doughty. Reports from Elliotte Friedman of SportsNet indicate that the Oilers openly shopped Maroon recently, and could deal him before the Trade Deadline.
In comparison to the other two malicious plays here, the Calgary Flames captain and defenseman, Giordano, hit also deserves a second look. All indications show that Giordano’s worst punishment came in the way of a match penalty.
After Giordano was booted from the game, the Flames continued to roll over the Canes. Losing a player like star Carolina Hurricanes left wing, Aho, really put his team in a tough position. A player like Aho, with this level of raw talent and ability to entertain, should get a harsher reaction from the league office.
The Giordano elbow to Aho’s head immediately sent him to the ice in a brutal looking collision. Falling hard to the ice, without control, likely made the injury worse too. As of now, the league has not even released a statement regarding this matter.
Here’s a look at the Giordano’s malicious elbow to Aho.
Overwhelming reaction from Canes’ fans
It’s clear to see that Giordano partially launched himself and intentionally put an elbow to the head/neck area of Aho while he was cutting across the ice. But, Aho did have his head up on the play. He probably was not expecting Giordano to lunge forward like he did.
Giordano is a hard-hitter and tough defender. However, he does not have a hit quite like this one in his repertoire during his more than a decade long NHL career. Injury causing hits against Tampa Bay Lightning star forward Nikita Kucherov and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri are not the cleanest hits you can watch either. Neither is as harmful as this hit, though.
Some of the notorious fan Twitter pages for the Canes were hopeful as to a quick recovery for Aho, especially since the team has a five-day break, before facing the Detroit Red Wings on Jan. 20. Here’s some initial reactions from Canes fans on Twitter.
Best outcome w can hope for out of this game: A healthy Sebastian Aho is on the ice next Sunday vs VGK
Calgary fans seemingly felt different about the intent of the hit, and whether Giordano deserves a suspension. It’s nice to see Calgary fans showing some love to the recovery of Aho, as he deals with multiple injuries with no timeline to return yet.
That was a complete clean hit that was not called a penalty until assessing the damage. Garbage call. If there's no crime you don't call for harm. Giordano wasn't targeting the head whatsoever, Aho moved his head into it.
Any calls for a Giordano suspension = much ado about nothing. That was a devastating but clean hit, right on the crest of Aho’s jersey. Unfortunate that it hurt him, but completely legal hit.
As a whole, what’s done is done, and the Canes need to turn attention to the rest of the January slate on tap. Losing Aho hurts a ton, but injuries are still a part of the game and something teams have to deal with.
We can just hope nothing else takes down a player the quality of Aho for the rest of the season. He’s an invaluable part of the Carolina first line, along with co-captain Jordan Staal and fellow skilled Finnish winger Teuvo Teravainen. Head coach Bill Peters needs to find a way to plug the hole left by Aho for the time being.
