Three minutes into the second period of the Edmonton Oilers-Toronto Maple Leafs match, Ryan Reaves was kicked out of the game for an illegal hit to the head on Darnell Nurse.
Nurse, who had been on a hot streak in terms of his play, was bloodied and knocked out of the game, not to return. Reaves got a five-minute penalty and game misconduct, but the immediate question was how many games he should get in terms of suspension.
Update from Oilers fan Kevin McCurdy on Twitter: “Oilers announcer) Jack Michaels said that Darnell Nurse was aware and joking around with the trainers in the dressing room so he doesn’t figure it’s long-term, even though he’s done for the night.”
The reaction on social media was intense:
Craig Simpson, Hockey Night in Canada
That should got right on the visor there… You hate seeing that, the reaction of Nurse.
Oilers fan Karman Gill @Kgill39
Nurse finds his groove this year and then gets taken out by the most useless hockey player in the world
Hockey Night in Canada commentator Jennifer Botterill
He’s had three suspensions before, one of them is an illegal check to the head. Two fines as well… I just think there needs to be responsibility on the players who that are delivering the hit… He’s low to start but then when he delivers the hit goes high to catch the head.
Hockey Night in Canada commentaor Paul Bissonnette
A tough situation for Reavo, a fourth liner who gets put out there after they give up a goal. He hadn’t been out there in a few minutes, trying to get your legs and get the momentum back from the crowd…He (Nurse) just never really rounds his shoulders so it just leaves his head susceptible. So as the player you have to have responsibility here… It just sucks. He gets him right on the button.
Hockey Night in Canada commentator Luke Gazdic
The onus is always on the forechecker. I don’t like this hit at all… Should Nursey probably have had his head up, know he’s coming around the corner? Yes, but he still maybe puts himself in the vulnerable (position). But the acceptance is on Reavo to actually not go in that head lane there. I don’t like it all. Throw the book at him. He’s done it a couple of times before.
Oilers fan Rob Soria @Oil_Drop
Sorry but no one going at Reaves after that is unexceptable.
Oilers fan Dan Powman
That’s an ugly, ugly hit. Nothing but head contact… Reaves will be suspended. Hope Nursey is okay… He was finding his game. You hate to see it
Oilers commenator Tyler Yaremchuk @tyleryaremchuk
Wow the most useless player in the league does something stupid. Anyone stunned?
Toronto hocke commentator Jeff Veillette @JeffVeillette
Hits like this would never happen if teams had more enforcers on the ice to protect their players
Sportsnets Mark Spector🇨🇦🇺🇦 @SportsnetSpec
A momentum killing PP for Oilers, after the bad Reaves hit gave them a five minute advantage.
That was a clear head shot, and deserving of 5:00 IMO
Oilers fan Tier Two Oilers Fan @tier2fan
I love you, Nursey! Please be ok!
Edmonton commentator Avry’s Sports Show @Avry
We should be starting at 15 game suspensions every time we see a hit like this.
The Edmonton Journal’s Jim Matheson @jimmathesonnhl
That should be a five-game susp to Reaves for head hit on Nurse but who knows?
The Athletics Dom Luszczyszyn 📈 @domluszczyszyn
(didn’t see the hit yet) the league should suspend reaves for the rest of the season
Oilers fan McOilers @McOilers
Reaves is going to get 10 games minimum and should get 30. I hope Nurse is okay.
Hockey fan jason wilson @jason0181
In the early 2000s, that’s a clean hit. I understand protecting the head and is a good rule. However, a player must be in charge of their own safety and keep their head up at all times, especially coming around the net like that.
Hockey commentator Ken Campbell @Ken_Campbell27
Said it before and it bears repeating: It’s a good thing NHL teams have guys like Ryan Reaves to protect their players from guys like Ryan Reaves.
Hockey fan Bryan Gaum @gaumybear
Why does the NHL allow a loose chin strap on helmets?
This check was a major, but injury was increased due a loose chin strap.
At the Cult of Hockey
STAPLES: Nurse suddenly playing well again
LEAVINS: Player grades in win over Nashville
McCURDY: In face of criticism, words of praise for Oilers veteran
Staples on politics
A gold Krugerrand given to Edmonton’s Michael Oshry by his Jewish grandmother in case he ever needed gold to flee this country due to anti-Semitism Photo by supplied