This Is What Happens When Youth Hockey Players In Russia See That Tom Wilson Wasn't Suspended For His Horrifying Act Of Violence
When the NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Tom Wilson would not be getting suspended for his punching of Pavel Buchnevich and his takedown of Artemiy Panarin, it sent a clear and concise statement to the hockey playing world. Especially to the hockey playing world in Russia, where both of Wilson's victims hail from.
That statement is that hockey is violent again. You want to be a psychopath and start taking some runs at guys? All you gotta do is have $5000 to your name and you're good to go. No other repercussions necessary. So if you want to go after a ref who was probably getting paid by Putin to throw the game anyway? You've got the green light.
This is George Parros' dream right here.
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Player safety? Doooooooon't caaaaaare. Official safety? Doooooooon't caaaaaare.
Let the boys play, baby. Old time hockey. Eddie Shore.
Sidenote: Yes, I'm aware that this is essentially how every youth hockey game in Russia ends. About as traditional to Russian youth hockey as the handshake line is here in North America.