Spirit of 67
Registered User
No, it was in retaliation.That's not the only difference though.
The league said Kessel's 1st swing was in self-defense (which was bad, but not suspension worthy), but it was his 2nd swing that was viscous since Scott was fighting someone else and wasn't even looking. The same with Coyle, Keith wasn't defending himself. It was a viscous swing he thought he could get away with.
Marchand's swing was in self-defense to Rielly's crosscheck. I would expect a stern warning/fine, but no way a suspension.
There's a lot of things Marchand should have gotten suspended for but that swing isn't one of them imo.
But otherwise, I agree with your post.