NCHC Suspends UND's Tyler Kleven One Game For Hit on Jason Polin
Western's Jason Polin skates free
The National Collegiate Hockey Conference has suspended Tyler Kleven for one game for his cross-checking/direct contact to the head of Western Michigan’s Jason Polin. With 45 seconds remaining in the second period, Kleven was boarded by Polin and then held, before Kleven viciously cross-checked Polin in the head area.
You can see the video below. There’s no defending what Kleven did, it’s a vicious hit and needs to be eliminated from all levels of hockey. It was selfish play at a crucial moment in the game. In last night’s post-game press conference, UND head coach Brad Berry seemed less than pleased with his d-man’s decision.
“There can't be any frustration that gets into our game,” Berry said. “Tyler got buried into the wall, just before that. Then, was held just before that, it led to that penalty.”
The question is, why wasn’t Jason Polin penalized for boarding, or for holding Kleven? We can argue whether it was a two-minute or five-minute penalty, but the fact remains this play needs to be penalized, but it wasn’t.
I’d really like to know what the on-ice officials were thinking here. If this had been Kleven dishing out the hit there’s a very good chance that he’s going to the penalty box for two or five minutes. In fact, I’d bet on it. Apparently, the NCAA’s goal leader is playing from a different rulebook. You can judge for yourself.
I am not taking issue with the suspension, the hit was suspension worthy. I am taking issue with the inconsistency we see on the ice from week-to-week. The officiating needs to be better, and at times has been absolutely brutal. Last weekend, against Lindenwood, the officiating was questionable at best, both ways.
Here’s the official line from the NCHC.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) has issued a one-game suspension to North Dakota junior defenseman Tyler Kleven, in accordance with the conference’s supplemental discipline policy, the NCHC announced on Saturday, Jan. 14. The suspension stems from an illegal hit during the Fighting Hawks game against Western Michigan last night, Friday, Jan. 13, at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D.
During Friday night’s game, Kleven was assessed a major penalty for cross-checking/direct contact to the head and given a game misconduct penalty at 19:15 of the second period.
Kleven will be required to serve the one-game suspension during UND’s series finale with Western Michigan tonight, Saturday, Jan. 14. Kleven is eligible to return for North Dakota’s series opener against Minnesota Duluth on Friday, Jan. 20.