NHL, refs must protect players who make clean hits

Philadelphia_ Chris Kunitz delivered a bone-crunching hit (click here to view) on Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen in the first period of Sunday’s game. The hit was shoulder to chest as Kunitz caught Timonen coming around the net with his head down.

After Kunitz delivered the hit, Flyers defenseman Ryan Parent gave him two cross-checks to the back which should have drawn a minor penalty and as Kunitz skated down the ice, Scott Hartnell gave him a few whacks with his stick until the two players came to blows and were assessed 5 minute fighting majors. There was not a extra penalty assessed to Hartnell and Parent did not receive a penalty.

Physical play is what makes the NHL a great game but players should not be worried about making a clean hit and being mobbed by the opposition. The refs need to read the situation and make the right call.

The Penguins third and fourth lines were outplayed by the Flyers third and fourth lines in game 3.