Massive open ice hit in the NCAA sparks some debate (with video)

Now that NCAA hockey has returned to action, players can begin to re-gain their instincts and timing in a true game setting. For Arizona State University's Jacob Wilson, however, his timing looked on point during Sunday's matchup against the University of Michigan.

Wilson showcased precision timing and instinct when he caught puck carrier and Bruins draftee (30th overall in 2019) Johnny Beecher streaking into the zone, delivering an absolutely MONSTROUS open ice hit, resulting in a charging penalty. You can see this hit below:

Though many have condemned the hit, offering the opinion that these are the types of hits that hockey should be doing away with to avoid potential injury, at least one personality at TSN, Jason Gregor (host of The Jason Gregor Show on TSN 1260) believes that the hit was absolutely clean and did not warrant a penalty at all.

While Jason makes valid points that Wilson's feet remained on the ice and his arms remained tucked in, and in addition to Jason's defense of the hit, the head was also not the principle point of contact. But it is difficult to argue that he didn't travel a long way to initiate the hit.

In my opinion, though the hit was avoidable, it wasn't overly predatory and Beecher has a responsibility to protect himself by not cutting into the middle with his head down while carrying the puck. Though I agree with the two-minute charging call, I don't believe there should be any supplemental discipline beyond that.

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