Walker Escapes Suspension for Punch on Ward

The NHL has chosen not to hand down a suspension to Carolina Hurricanes forward, Scott Walker, after he punched Boston Bruins defenceman, Aaron Ward, and may have broken his orbital bone.  Walker was fined $2,500 but many don’t believe that it was enough.

Many people believe that Walker is guilty of sucker punching Ward and therefore felt that he should have been banned from some games.  I feel like this ruling might have been a little different if the Canes weren’t fighting to stay in the playoffs.

"I accept the League’s decision," Walker said in a statement. "Based on what was said on the ice as I was dropping my gloves, it was my understanding that I was engaged in an altercation."  Carolina GM, Jim Rutherford, weighed in on it as well: "We are satisfied with the League’s ruling.  After our team received several punches throughout the series leading up to Game 5, it was a matter of time before one was going to be thrown back."

Meanwhile, Bruins coach, Clause Julien said: "Personally, I know we’re all entitled to our opinion, (but) I’d be disappointed.  In reviewing what I saw, I just didn’t like what happened. I’m not going to start comparing and stuff like that. I just don’t think there was any need for that. He sucker punched him once coming into the scrum when (Ward) was involved with another player, and then he dropped his gloves and sucker punched him.”

In case any of you are thinking (like my husband) that Ward should have done something to prevent his own injury, Julien has words for that as well:  "I don’t care what people say about Ward should’ve protected himself.  He had no intention of getting involved. We asked our guys to stay composed and not fall into that trap and he just did that. A guy with Walker’s experience should know better than to sucker punch a guy and, again, this is an area that I don’t deal with. I deal with my team and let other people deal with the situation.”

Watch the altercation from last night’s game and judge for yourself: