Referee’s Report Could Be Key to Ryan Reaves Pending Suspension

Vegas Golden Knights forward Ryan Reaves has drawn the ire of the hockey world this week after a dangerous play to Colorado Avalanche defenseman Ryan Graves. The Avs wiped the floor with the Golden Knights on Sunday night in Game 1 of their playoff matchup, but the industry is talking about the match penalty Reaves received along with a number of other penalties that gave Colorado a lengthy power play.

Reaves was hit with two penalties and a match penalty for roughing and injuring Graves in the third period. Reaves punched Graves in the back of the head, threw him down to the ice and stayed on top of him while he was down. Because Reaves was assessed a match penalty, he will be suspended pending a hearing.

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The Avalanche players were not pleased with Reaves for what they called an intent to injure. “I don’t think you can call that physicality, to be honest with you,” Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog said. “Reaves is on a mission to hurt somebody in the third and that’s what he goes out and does. I’m sure the league will take a look at it, intent to injure.” Sportsnet insider and 31 Thoughts podcast host Elliotte Friedman thinks the referee agrees.

Friedman said he’s not sure what suspension is likely to come down as a result of the play, but that the official must have seen something he didn’t like and that his report would be key to the NHL’s Department of Player Safety ruling. There’s some belief that perhaps the official saw or heard something to suggest Reaves was on a mission and the entire series was intentional. It makes sense considering the game was well out of reach and Reaves might have been frustrated and trying to send a message.

Golden Knights head coach Pete DeBoer came to the defense of his player saying: “For me, Ryan Reaves is one of the cleanest tough guys I’ve seen in the league in my 12, 13 years. He’s consistently a clean, physical player.”

Evander Kane Takes Shot at Reaves

We’ll have to wait to see what kind of suspension Reaves receives, but San Jose Sharks’ forward Evander Kane has a better idea. He tweeted: “Instead of a suspension they should have to play him 20 minutes a night for the rest of the series.”

Instead of a suspension they should have to play him 20 minutes a night for the rest of the series 😂

— Evander Kane (@evanderkane_9) May 31, 2021

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