Bettman shares why he reduced Spezza's suspension
Today NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced that he was upholding Toronto Maple Leafs' Jason Spezza's suspension, while also reducing the suspension from 6 games to 4 games.
Bettman gave this explanation as to why:
Applying the factors set forth in Section 18.2 of the CBA, I find that a four (4) game suspension is appropriate here. My conclusion accords with the findings of DPS that Mr. Spezza committed a serious and reckless infraction of Rule 50 that resulted in an injury to Mr. Pionk (albeit an injury that turned out to be less serious than it might have been). My decision to reduce the length of the suspension is based primarily on an undisputed fact -- Mr. Spezza's admirable record of clean play over nineteen (19) season, 1,300 game career -- which is an important factor that is expressly emphasized in Section 18.2(c) of the CBA. I note that this record supports Mr. Spezza's reputation or counseling from DPS about conduct coming close to the line: and leads me to give Mr. Spezza the benefit of the doubt in terms of his intention.
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