Owen Sound Attack’s Kyle Hope knocks over Windsor Spitfires’ Alex Fotinos, sending goalie to hospital

An ugly Sunday might rekindle the debate whether supplemental discipline should be based more on intent or the impact. During the first period of the Windsor Spitfires-Owen Sound Attack contest, Attack winger Kyle Hope, who's been known to be an unwelcome guest in a goalie's crease already this season, knocked Spitfires goalie Alex Fotinos after cutting in on goal.

Fotinos was down on the ice for more than 10 minutes before paramedics arrived to assist Spitfires athletic therapist. The 18-year-old goalie, who's been on a hot streak since coming west to Windsor in a trade with the Barrie Colts, went to hospital as a precaution and returned home with his team.

Hope was tagged with a major and game misconduct.

It might seem like a stretch for the OHL to determine whether this actionable. It is tough to tell from the Rogers Television replay where Hope made contact with Fotinos. On the one hand, there is a responsibility to protect goaltenders who are in their crease. On the other, let's not kid ourselves, the aim is to keep speed in the game, not having players skating on eggshells when they try to take a puck to the net.

Hope was involved in another crease-crashing incident earlier this month against the Niagara IceDogs, where he precipitated a fracas by plowing into goalie Chris Festarini. That touched off a line brawl that resulted in a 10-game suspension to Attack defenceman Brayden Rose.

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet. Please address any questions, comments or concerns to btnblog@yahoo.ca (videos: Rogers Television, TV Cogeco Ontario).