Exclusive: Ian Cole somehow escapes suspension

Despite being assessed a five-minute major penalty and an automatic game-misconduct for it, the kneeing penalty by Ian Cole that injured Anaheim’s Devin Shore will not be subject to further discipline by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, BSN Denver has learned.

An NHL source said there will be no hearing for Cole on the hit. In other words, case closed on the matter.

I gotta be honest and say I’m surprised by this. I expected a suspension. I mean, Cole got a 5-minute major and automatic game misconduct for the hit, which was labeled as “kneeing.” Although it does appear that the principal point of contact with Shore’s thigh, not knee, it still looks to me like Cole stuck his knee out to make the hit. The fact that Shore was badly injured on the play (the Ducks are still awaiting results on an MRI) only increased my belief Cole would be suspended. But, no.

If this had happened to Nathan MacKinnon by a Ducks defenseman, how mad would you be right now, Avs fan? Just sayin.’

Here’s video of the hit: