He lost a tooth and didn't miss a shift, he's a hockey player.
Stempniak wanted to follow the play but when it was obvious Ference wasn't going to let up he dropped his gloves. Should have been an instigator (I mean if they are going to have that as a rule...), roughing, and a fight. Give the Flames a 4 minute PP and that's fine. Anyone remember that Bourque 9 minute PK?
Assault charges, jail time and public execution might be going overboard a tad.
And now who's exaggerating
It would be assault outside of hockey, as would many hockey plays, nobody was really suggesting the police should be involved.
I
DO think, however, that if you pound on a guy who is clearly trying to avoid a fight, that's intent to injure and not something that should be a part of hockey. You are really twisting what happened with your description, Stempniak clearly did not want to go at all, he was trying hard to get away but simply couldn't, he only dropped his gloves because he was being absolutely forced to defend himself. A very clear intent to injure hit to the head would be a significant suspension, something like this Ference beatdown should be no different IMO. I don't mind fighting at all when both guys are into it, but something like this I find disgusting.