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27 · Friday, March 26, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Head shots must stop. Period. By Clayton Ward-Theriault GRADE 12, T. A. BLAKELOCK Get off the streets & into Friday night youth drop-in programs I t's inevitable ­ somebody is going to get killed, and millions will see it. I'm talking about a very hot topic in the sports world: head shots in the NHL. The most recent example of this increasingly common `contact', in what is a very physical sport, was repeat offender Matt Cooke's hit on Marc Savard. This was a blindside head shot that sidelined the Boston Bruin's star centre for the rest of the season and playoffs (if the Bruins make the playoffs). This is not the only controversial hit that has happened this year. David Booth was forced to miss 45 games (four months) because of a blind side open-ice head shot by Philadelphia Flyers captain Mike Richards. New Jersey Devils defenceman Anssi Salmela was the victim of another head shot by another Flyer, Jeff Carter. Salmela only missed two games, however, it could have been a lot worse. All three hits have three things in common. One, they are all head shots. Two, no penalties were assessed on the play. And three, no suspensions were handed out even after further review by the league. Head shots have to stop. There is no room for them in hockey. Period. I've heard friends and acquaintances say, "If head shots are gone then hockey is ruined." In no way is that statement true. Let's be honest, do you want to see a guy lying motionless on the ice? Well, I certainly don't. The NHL has no other option, but to make a rule that bans hits to the head. On HNIC, Don Cherry blasted the NHL and said first time you hit a guy in the head, you get a 10-game suspension, second time, 20 games, and third time, you're suspended for the rest of the season. Rule 21.1 of the NHL rule book states, "A match penalty shall be imposed on any player who deliberately attempts to injure an opponent or who deliberately injures an opponent in any manner." If the National Hockey League does not make this change, players like Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin are going to get seriously injured. MVP players are much too important to their teams to be lost. They are leaders and should not be sidelined because of deliberate cheap hits to the head. There is no question that head shots in the NHL have to stop. Somebody is going to get killed. The NHL has come to the sad reality that head shots have become part of the game. What is it going to take to remove these hits from the game? When will the NHL decide to add a rule to ban head shots? This week? The Stanley Cup Playoffs? This summer? Next season? That is not up for me to decide. Until then, hockey fans will have to grin and bear it or stop watching hockey. www.ymcaofoakville.com WE HAVE MOVED! Top row from left: Aba Mohamed, Lou Odorico, Mike Tourond, Guyanu Pokharel. Bottom row from left: Maggie Balint, Anita Roth, Linda Kraav, Christine Davis. We are now comfortably set in our new office on the 3rd Floor at the Hopedale Mall in Oakville. Our new office is professional, private and spacious compared to our old accommodations at Diversified Financial Services and the Can-Am Tax Center. We look forward to taking care of your bookkeeping, tax, preparation and financial planning requirements this season, whether you are a new client or a returning customer from Diversified or Can-Am. HOPE DALE MALL Diversified 1515 Rebecca St. Suite 301 Financial 905-847-0029 Services Inc. email: info@dfsoakville.com oliday Inn & Suites Oakville @ Bronte H Easter Sunday Brunch Sunday, April 4 th Available Seatings 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. Adults $28.95 · Seniors $26.95 · Children $9.95 (ages 3-12) Reservations Recommended 905-465-4480 · Danish, Croissants, Muffins & Breakfast Breads, Bagels & Toasting Station · Yogurts & Cereals, Sliced Fresh Fruit Platter, Cheese Tray · Scrambled Eggs with Cheddar Cheese, Buttermilk Pancakes & French Toast · Farmers Breakfast Sausage & Bacon, Home Fries with Peppers & Herbs · Made To Order Waffle & Omelette Station · Succotash, Devilled Eggs with Asparagus, Marinated Mushrooms, · Mussels & Shrimp Tower, Chef's Kettle of the Day · Carving Station Featuring Short Shank Ham · Cheese-filled Manicotti with Alfredo & Marinara Sauces · Roasted Chicken with Forest Mushrooms & Pearl Onions · Braised Lamb Shanks, New Red Potatoes with Chives · Grilled Atlantic Salmon with Lemon Tarragon Cream · Fresh Market Vegetables · Chefs Pastry Table with Assorted Squares, Pies, Tarts & Cakes · Chocolate Fountain with Fresh Fruit Ph: 905-847-1000 F: 905-847-0032 Toll Free: 1-800-880-3188 www.hioakvillebronte.ca 2525 Wyecroft Road (at Bronte) · Oakville