Boeser's Night Ends Early After a Head Check: Is This the New Normal?
It's a hockey fan's worst nightmare: seeing one of their favorite players get taken out of a game after a dangerous hit. This time, it was Brock Boeser, the Vancouver Canucks' star forward, who left the game after a head check from a visiting player.
The hit happened in the second period, and immediately, the crowd went silent. Boeser hit the ice hard, and the officials reviewed the play. It was determined that the hit was a major penalty, and the opposing player was given a game misconduct. Boeser, however, didn't return to the game, and the Canucks were left to finish the game without their leading scorer.
This isn't the first time Boeser has been on the receiving end of a dangerous hit this season. The Canucks have been a hot topic in the NHL lately, and the team's players have been targeted by opposing players.
The Growing Issue of Dangerous Hits
There's no doubt the NHL is trying to crack down on these kinds of plays, but the head check is still a problem. The league needs to find a way to deter these types of hits, which could be career-ending for the players involved.
While the rules are strict, there's a fine line between a legal hit and a dangerous play. The enforcement of penalties is a big discussion point for fans and analysts.
What's Next for Boeser and the Canucks?
The Canucks need to figure out how to protect their players. The head check on Boeser was just the latest in a string of dangerous plays that have put the team's players at risk.
What's worse, the Canucks are already struggling to compete in a tough Western Conference. With Boeser out of the lineup, it'll be even tougher for the team to get back on track.
The good news is that the injury doesn't seem serious. Boeser was able to walk off the ice under his own power, and there's no word on how long he'll be out.
The Canucks faithful are hoping for a speedy recovery for their star player. But this incident is a reminder that the NHL still has a long way to go in making the game safer for everyone.