tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
I see it as Sgarbossa trying to make a hockey play himself- if he continues on his course he's being run out of the play, it's not "avoiding the hit" so much as it's trying to make a good offensive play. You're not allowed to try and make a guy miss anymore? McGinn launches upwards, that's the issue here- if he just runs through the chest or outside shoulder it's just a solid hit. I'd expect 1-2 games.
McGinn’s already committed to the hit when Sgarbossa suddenly tries to dip out of the way. You’re asking a guy on skates, who’s already powering into body contact, to assess a change in his target’s direction and re-orient his body... in about a quarter of a second. It’s not possible to do that.
McGinn’s momentum carries him through the hitting motion, with elbow down and shoulder out... one skate leaves the ice for a split-second but there’s no “launch” here either. What would he be suspended for?
There’s not a hockey coach in the world who will say it’s a good idea to try and jump away from a hit. This play illustrates exactly why... glancing contact to the head is more dangerous than direct contact to the body core.