Capitals forward Tom Wilson received his first suspension of his career last Saturday after a late hit on Blues first-round pick Robert Thomas.
“Every time you make a body check, you’re making a split-second decision,” Wilson said after the suspension. “I take pride in the physical nature of my game. I take pride in my body checks. This is my fifth season, and I’ve made a lot of body checks — very clean, hard hits. So I trust myself. Maybe it was a second late or whatever, but I’m going to learn from it and I’m going to continue to play my game, my hard-natured hockey.”
Well, Wilson may want to consider changing his game, because he could be facing more discipline for another bad hit.
Today’s game was not televised by either of the team’s rights-holders, but here’s what has been reported online. Late in the second period, Wilson boarded 21-year-old forward Samuel Blais. Wilson received a five minute major for boarding and a game misconduct.
Blais gets hit hard into the boards hard by Wilson and Schenn jumps all over Wilson. He’s not gonna tolerate any of that. #stlblues
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) October 1, 2017
Schen throwing punches with Tom Wilson #BluesCaps pic.twitter.com/QNqHh4XXDP
— Paul Barnes (@paulbarnes518) October 1, 2017
Wilson leveled Blais along boards, and then Schenn stepped in and Wilson and Schenn briefly scrapped. Wilson to the room. Penalties coming.
— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) October 1, 2017
Blais skated off under his own power but went right down the tunnel. Tom Wilson has been inexplicably out of control against the #stlblues.
— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) October 1, 2017
Wilson, who got suspended two games for hit on Robert Thomas earlier this preseason, gets a five-minute major and game misconduct. #stlblues
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) October 1, 2017
Blais, after being looked at in the locker room, would return to the bench several minutes into the third period.
Blais is back. #stlblues
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) October 1, 2017
Blais back on bench, but not yet on ice.
— Tom Timmermann (@tomtimm) October 1, 2017
On the shift before his board, Wilson was whistled for high-sticking at the 13:02 mark of the second period.
The Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan mused that because the game was not televised, Wilson could potentially escape a punishment.
So, about this Wilson hit … could be like that tree that falls in the forest and no one hears it because the game isn't televised. (1/X)
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) October 1, 2017
There's some in-arena video of the game and whatnot, but not as many camera angles as there would be if game was being broadcast somewhere.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) October 1, 2017
So, while we obviously know Wilson got a major and a game misconduct for boarding, I have know idea how DoPS would go about reviewing it.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) October 1, 2017
Again, there's some video out there somewhere. But probably not all of the angles and all that we're used to. Who knows?
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) October 1, 2017
Not in St. Louis, but the way that Wilson hit is being described by some, he may get a phone call from DoPS even with just one camera angle.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) October 1, 2017
The Capitals, who are GIFing highlights of the game, have access to the in-arena video, but have not released footage.
Wilson also managed to score his second goal of the preseason and his first even-strength goal, after knocking home a rebound.
The @tom_wilso Goal! #CapsBlues #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/WxPTqQlTq3
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 1, 2017
If you have video of Wilson’s hit, please send it over.
Updated 7:59: According to Isabelle Khurshudyan, the Department of Player Safety is already reviewing Wilson’s hit in regards to possible discipline.
Tom Wilson could be facing DoPS discipline again (and more info on what happens when there are limited video angles) https://t.co/fbLSNtaojx
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) October 1, 2017
Headline photo: @paulbarnes518
