Call on Boulerice hit should be easy

[Habsfan84]

Jesse Boulerice, have a seat.
This one is almost too easy for the NHL.
Consider the circumstances of the vicious crosscheck Boulerice laid on Vancouver Canuck Ryan Kesler last night:

• Kesler did not have the puck; it cannot be suggested it was a hockey hit of any kind.
• It was a vicious blow to the head with the stick on an unsuspecting player
• Kesler and Boulerice had a bit of a running battle going before the incident, which strongly suggests premeditation on the part of Boulerice.
• It was late – 11:39 of the third period – in a game that was well in hand for Philly (7-2 at the time).

The only two things Boulerice has going for him is that, one, Kesler wasn't seriously injured on the play and, two, he's not a repeat offender in the eyes of the NHL, unless of course you factor in that in the 1997-98 season, while a member of the OHL's Plymouth Whalers, Boulerice used a baseball bat swing to cave in the face of Guelph's Andrew Long, for which Boulerice was suspended his overage season in the OHL and pleaded no contest to a charge of aggravated assault.
But the OHL incident and Boulerice's past indiscretions are technically not admissible in the dispensing of NHL justice, so Colie Campbell, NHL disciplinarian, will be instructed, like the jury, to pay no attention to it and pretend it never happened.
Yeah, right. Good one.
Boulerice is fortunate Kesler was not seriously injured on the play – God bless those lightweight composite sticks - because if there was a serious injury, it's the type of incident that might just attract the Crown Attorney's office in Vancouver.
Been there, done that, right?
It can easily be argued this incident is far worse than teammate Steve Downie's 20-gamer for lowering the boom on Ottawa's Dean McAmmond. Downie didn't use his stick; McAmmond had at least touched the puck in the moments before the hit.
If Boulerice doesn't get at least 20 games, something's not right with this picture.
And if the NHL really wanted to make a statement, to send a message that there's no place in the game for a play like that, or a player who would do that, it would really tag Boulerice and make an example of him. Take your pick – 40, 60, 80, life.
But 20 should be the floor on this one because what Boulerice did was so utterly senseless and pointless and not part of the game. At least it shouldn't be.
Easy call.

[Habsfan84]

It almost seems like these are a constant in the NHL. Downie a week or two ago and then this. It's time for the players to respect eachother out there.

[fire_bettman]

it would really tag Boulerice and make an example of him. Take your pick – 40, 60, 80, life.

the hit was crap but get real 40 games - lifetime ban ????
15 - 20 games would be about right. after upshall comes back he will be sent down anyway

[Habsfan84]

20-25 games will work