Oct 14, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Edmonton Oilers defenseman
Andrew Ference(21) against the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center. he Kings defeated the Oilers 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Andrew Ference is a name that almost everyone in the city of Boston knows, generally linked with charity events or recycling. Regardless, the word is always good. However, Ference has his tougher, hockey side too where his emotions and playing the game get the best of him. For instance, in playing against Montreal a couple of seasons back, upon scoring a goal against the long time rival, he lifted his glove in the air and flipped the Montreal crowd the bird. While he claimed an equipment malfunction at the time, he was fined $2500 and later came clean acknowledging the gesture was intended for the taunting fans and that his emotions had gotten the better of him. In his blog he wrote;
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Accountability is lacking in our world. Just look at nuisance lawsuits, or the finger-pointing of politicians around the globe. I am guilty myself of trying to blame a middle-fingered celebration after a goal in Montreal on a glove malfunction. In round one of the playoffs between two of the fiercest rivals in our sport, I scored a tying goal in the enemys building, only to have my fist pump turn into a sign language that crosses all borders. Facing the media and a possible suspension after the fact proved to be too much for my self-accountability. Self-preservation is a powerful thing it is easier to place blame elsewhere and overlook your own responsibilities.
Puck Prose
Once again the veteran defenseman is facing hot water, only this time it is much more than a middle finger malfunction. In Saturday night’s game against the Vancouver Canucks, Ference placed a high hit to the head of Canucks’ Zack Kassian. It was announced today by the NHL Player Safety Department that Ference would have a phone hearing. The hit is being reviewed by the League on the grounds that it is an illegal hit to the head and charging.
Given that Ference is receiving a phone hearing, the maximum suspension he can get is five games. If he is suspended, it would be the third of his career. Once for his hit on Mikhail Grabovski during the 2013 playoffs (1 game) and the other in 2012 for boarding Ryan McDonagh (2 games).
Looking at the hit, he does appear to target Kassian and leaves his skates to place the hit, each a red flag to the NHL Safety Department. It is likely that Ference could get the maximum five game suspension, especially with a previous history in tact. Does this mean Ference is a dirty player and should be tossed in with the likes of John Scott and Matt Cooke? No, but he does need to take the ‘accountability’ for his actions and do the time.