The official update read, “EDM #25 NURSE slashing (2 min), Def. Zone drawn by: DAL #24 HINTZ”. But it really doesn’t paint the picture of what went down, does it? A hard slash to the laces of Roope Hintz, and the Dallas Stars center didn’t return for the game. And hours after the game is done, the ruling by the NHL official is still being debated.

Hey, it’s not the first time this season that the hockey community hasn’t been able to accept the ref’s decision on the ice. There have been so many calls that have irked the fans. This Darnell Nurse slash included. One TNT Reporter has given his evaluation of the entire incident, and being a former NHL player himself, this ex-defenseman used his on-ice experience for the critical analysis of the call. So, what is he saying?

Paul Bissonette used the Spittin’ Chiclets’ clip of the incident, which features Nurse slashing hard, hitting the Dallas Stars forward on the foot. The TNT analyst gave his verdict in his caption: “Hard to call this a 5 minute major. Can’t really.” What he is trying to say is that such a slash deserves a 5-minute major penalty, and it’s not that hard to come to such a conclusion.

Well, having played in the esteemed league for 5 years, he knows how it actually is. And he tried to help the fans see it through his eyes. “There’s a lot of people in these comments that have never been slashed with the heel of a stick blade right on top of the laces. You can break a foot with that chop.” His caption further added, “Some guys wear shot blockers on top of their skates for that reason as well. I wouldn’t call this a dive. Just got hit in the perfect spot to cause damage.”

To get the hang of such incidents, like slashing or boarding or all the other, not-so-friendly, physical contacts going on during a game, you need to put on your skates, pick up a stick, and experience it. Another thing that can help you understand why people are asking for a more severe punishment – well, look at the slash in real time. See how hard Darnell Nurse swings the stick.

After the incident, Hintz couldn’t put pressure on his left foot. He was clearly in pain. And there are doubts if he can travel to Edmonton for the 3rd game. The NHL rulebook also has provisions for a major penalty when slashing causes an injury. The rulebook says, “Whenever a major penalty is assessed for slashing, a game misconduct penalty must also be imposed.”

No wonder most people are calling for a 5-minute major penalty. Which includes the Dallas Stars contingent.

The Dallas Stars locker room feels that a wrong call has been made

The incident happened at the beginning of the 3rd period. A forecheck from Roope Hintz in front of the Oilers goal, and Nurse retaliates. The 28-year-old top-line center stayed down for a couple of minutes before being helped up by his teammates, Mikael Granlund and Lian Bichsel, who assisted him off the ice to the bench. And Hintz went straight to the locker room. “We didn’t like it. If that was (Connor) McDavid walking down the tunnel, I would like to see the result of that.” This was Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn‘s question after the game, as per The Athletic.

Even the Stars coach, Pete DeBoer, had the same question in the postgame presser. “Does anyone in this room think if Connor McDavid gets carried off the ice like that it’s not a five-minute major?” Stars forward Mason Marchment says Nurse knew exactly what he was doing. “I think there was some intent, obviously.” And he didn’t mince his words. “A lot of that stuff, you just keep in the back of your mind, and if the opportunity presents itself, then you take your chance,” he said, as per Sportsnet. “We’ve got a long series here.”

Guess, the Western Conference Championship is going to get feistier. But one thing’s for sure. The Dallas Stars will want Roope Hintz back as soon as possible.