So often when we are talking about player suspensions, it usually involves a dirty hit, a repeat offender, and a criticism of the player safety department for not protecting their players. However, some suspensions should be handed out for other reasons ... the integrity of the game.
Bruins Insider Jimmy Murphy is calling for Ottawa's Tim Stutzle to be suspended for repeated attempts of diving. He was able to draw a penalty against the Detroit Red Wings that was clearly a dive. He was barely touched by a Red Wings player who was playing the puck, and he went tumbling to the ice, giving Ottawa a power play.
Plays like these are hurting the integrity of the game of hockey. Players doing whatever they can to gain an unfair advantage (power plays not warranted) is cheap and cheapens the value and hard work that game of hockey is. Referees have a hard enough job, and come under scrutiny on most calls, these dirty plays make their jobs even harder. Do we see suspensions for this every day? NO. Should we? Absolutely.
