Perhaps "automatic" suspensions should be more common in the NHL rule book. After all, they make it difficult for anyone within the league to screw up.Tuesday night, Leafs goalie Martin Gerber subjected himself to one of those automatic suspension thingies. Angry over a game-tying Capitals goal in the final minute of regulation, Gerber took out his frustrations on referee Mike Leggo. That probably was not a good idea.
For his troubles, Gerber picked up a three-game suspension. But instead of spinning the ol' Wheel of Discipline, Gerber's suspension was in line with the rules.
The suspension is a result of Rule 41.4 - Category llI. The rule states: "Any player or goalkeeper who, by his actions, physically threatens an official by shooting the puck at or in the general direction of an official shall be suspended for not less than three (3) games."I didn't know about that particular rule, but I'm grateful.
This saves Colin Campbell a chance to issue a lame one-game suspension for something that deserved more than that.
Then again, as my buddy Adam Gretz would probably point out right about now, Gerber's suspension is still only half of what Sean Avery got for a sex joke.
