According to Rich Hammond of LAKingsInsider.com, Rob Scuderi will be fined an undisclosed amount for his hit on Columbus’ Jason Chimera in the first period of last night’s game.

Columbus’ resident goon Derek Dorsett will not be fined or suspended for his role in the melee following the hit.

What this says to me about the situation is 1. The league did not see contact to the knee of Chimera by Scuderi. 2. The league saw no intent to injure and 3. If they don’t punish Dorsett for jumping the boards to join an altercation (minimum 10 game suspension by NHL rule) OR for abuse of TWO officials, they can’t justify punishing Scuderi with anything more than a fine. Also, three minor penalties against Columbus (not the least of which was a cheapshot sucker punch to the back of Frolov’s head by Chimera) that could’ve easily been considered intent  to injure went without any further disciplinary action.

While I’m sure the Columbus fans are likely still crying a river about what would’ve amounted essentially to a 2 minute penalty to Scuderi for “clipping”, I wonder if many of them have enough hockey knowledge to realize the break their team caught in Dorsett’s case? I’m still of the opinion at this point, that if BJ’s fans are going to cry over this, they should resort to watching a non-contact game like shuffleboard.

-JS