NESN

NHL Suspensions, Like Andrew Ference’s, Should Be Based on Actual Play, Not Extent of Resulting Injuries

League disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan came down on Andrew Ference for his hit on the Rangers' Ryan McDonagh, suspending the Bruins defenseman.

NESN's Barry Pederson doesn't exactly agree with how everything has transpired, though. While it's unfortunate that McDonagh got injured on the play, Pederson feels that Ference let up before hitting the Rangers defenseman, and that the hit looked a lot worse in real time than it did upon further review. Pederson thinks it should've been a two-minute penalty, rather than the major and game misconduct that Ference received during Saturday's game.

At the time of Shanahan's decision to suspend Ference, it was unclear how long he'd be forced to sit out of game action. The thought is that the league is waiting to see the extent of McDonagh's injury, which might not be the most effective way of determining how much punishment Ference should receive.

To hear more, check out the video above.