Canadiens: Gallagher Has Had Enough Of Tim Stützle

One of the frustrating highlights of the Canadiens’ game against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday was Tim Stützle once again laying on the ice faking an injury.

The

Manchester United

Ottawa Senators star forward was at one point chasing a puck in the corner and started falling over and narrowly missed Nick Suzuki who was passing by and trying to avoid contact. Instead of continuing the play, Stützle flopped to the ice pretending there was a knee to knee contact and drew a penalty against Suzuki. Much to the ire of fans.

Brendan Gallagher was also furious at the call.

Gallagher is absolutely correct when saying that you have to lead by example, especially with kids. Many youth hockey coaches will force their players to skip shifts if they claim to be injured. Not only in order to protect the child but also teach them a lesson that there’s no point in going out there when you’re hurt.

Now granted, a good hockey player will know how to draw penalties against the opposing team. Either by using their speed in order to force a slower opponent to hook, or even by using their smaller frame in order to make it seem like a much larger opponent is causing holding or interference

Exaggerating an injury in order to draw a penalty has been done since the dawn of hockey. There’s no way around it and it will keep happening. However, if you’re starting to get recognized for it, that reputation can haunt you with time.

The majority of officials will probably ignore Gallagher’s comments given he has grown a reputation of his own. However, if Stützle doesn’t clean up his act, eventually officials will notice and not only will he end up getting penalties for diving, a non call along with a serious injury could eventually get ignored.

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