Something unprecedented happened in a hockey match. The head referee of the match gave a five-minute penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct but released the player after sitting for 3 minutes and 11 seconds.
Ice hockey referee Makoa Einarsson explained his decision like this: "Defenseman Jackson mainly played good hockey but also played his mouth and behaved defiantly on the ice. That's why I blew the whistle, and the player was penalized."
However, as seen on TV, Jackson showed remorse in the penalty box, even with tears rolling down his face. Therefore, the referee ruled in favor of a reduced sentence. Defenseman Jackson was released for good behavior, without parole and the associated enrollment period.
Reporting this incident is important for a specific reason. This could set a precedent that leads to a similar practice in the NHL and AHL, maybe also in the International Ice Hockey Federation.
