Chiarelli On Toucher & Rich: Rome Suspension 'Fair,' Bruins Will 'Soldier On' Without Horton
BOSTON (CBS) – Like many Bruins fans, GM Peter Chiarelli is happy the NHL got it right with Aaron Rome's suspension for his hit that left Nathan Horton with a severe concussion and out for the rest of the Stanley Cup Finals.
"I was satisfied by it. It's unfortunate that we lose a player like Nathan," Chiarelli told 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher and Rich Wednesday morning. "Obviously he has had a big impact on our team these playoffs, but we'll soldier on."
Unlike the Cancucks, Chiarelli felt the punishment fit the crime.
"I think it was a fair ruling," he said. "I felt that there was a blindside aspect to it, they (the NHL) didn't. But I can see it from their perspective a little bit. Certainly the player, Rome, isn't a player that does this thing. He's not a repeat offender."
Read/Listen: Neely On Rome Suspension: "League Got It Right"
The NHL also came down with another ruling Tuesday, saying they would no longer tolerate any "garbage" after goals or scrums. They do not want to see any taunting, mainly fingers in the face done by both the Canucks and Bruins brought on by Alex Burrows biting Patrice Bergeron in Game 1.
Listen To Peter Chiarelli On Toucher & Rich
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NHL Senior VP of Hockey Operations addressed it Tuesday, and had a word with both teams regarding the actions the league will take if they see it again.
"He basically said, 'cut the garbage.'" Chiarelli said of his talk with Murphy. "No more finger gestures, if that happens you're going to have a two (minute penalty) and a 10 (minute misconduct). (He was) very short, succinct and to the point."
The Bruins were guilty of the gesture twice in Game 3, while the Canucks Maxim Lapierre did it to Bergeron after the Canucks overtime win in Game 2. Bruins coach Claude Julien was unhappy with Milan Lucic and Mark Recchi for their Game 3 actions, and Chiarelli shares that feeling.
Read: NHL Wags Finger At Taunting
"These games are at a high emotional level and that stuff goes go on," he said. "Yeah there's a competitive side to you, but we feel that's drawing the line a little bit."
98.5 The Sports Hub is the only local station to listen to every game of the Stanley Cup Finals. Coverage begins an hour before each game with the Bruins Pregame show hosted by Dave Goucher & Bob Beers.
