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I am currently in suburban Philadelphia for some business meetings. Last night, I went to a local pizza and sports bar named Tonelli's in Horsham, PA. No, it's not John "Tonto" Tonelli's establishment but it was very good with a friendly atmosphere. I wanted some pizza and a chance to catch Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinal series between the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals. The game didn't disappoint.

During the course of the third period, Washington defenseman Brooks Orpik leveled Rangers defenseman Dan Boyle with a heavy body check. Boyle was knocked out of the game. During intermission, NBC Sports Network analyst Mike Milbury went on and on about how it was a terrible hit and how Orpik deserves a suspension hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety.

At the time the hit happened, I thought, "Hmmmm... that doesn't seem so horrible but I need to take a better look at it." At the moment, I wasn't in a place conducive to analyzing hockey plays. When I got back to my hotel room, I watched the play several more times.

My reaction upon further review was the same thought that I had watching it live between bites: There was nothing wrong with the hit and it doesn't deserve a suspension. I say that as someone who has been the co chairman of the KHL's officiating and discipline committee and deeply involved in such matters in several other leagues.

Yes, the principal point of contact was the head. No, Boyle did not make a sudden movement that changed the angle of the hit. However, Boyle was hunched over at the time, trying to make a play with the puck. His head was below the height of the boards as his momentum carried him toward Orpik. That's one check mark in Orpik's favor. There was really no other place Orpik could have realistically made contact with Boyle.

Orpik's arm was tucked. There was no elbow extension as the hit was delivered. That's another check mark.

Third, Orpik also did not accelerate into the hit. He braced for contact.

Last but not least for Orpik's skates leaving the ice, I'm going to let you (my readers) in on something that specifically I look at when making the determination on charging and head hits: Look the heels of the players' skates. If the heels stay in contact with the ice and lift off after the impact, it's all kosher. If the heels leave the ice beforehand, it's a bad hit. Orpik did not spring up.

Orpik's heels were on the ice until the force of the hit lifted him off. That's a big check mark in his favor here.

As such, it's my view that the NHL should not take disciplinary action against Orpik. It was a hockey play with an unfortunate result of contact to the head that was tough to avoid under the circumstances I just laid out.



Now that we've settled that, got a funny little anecdote for you about my evening excursion. Unbeknownst to me when I walked into the place -- I was simply looking for an interesting spot for a bite to eat, a beer and a place to watch the game -- I was there on Trivia Night.

The lovely event hostess asked if I wanted to participate.

I'm an extrovert by nature, so it didn't take any convincing.

"Be glad to," I said. "Actually, I'm the answer to a trivia question."

"Really?" she asked. "How so?"

"Who was the first -- and only -- American to play in the National Hockey League and then come back as a referee, then be the first American to ref 1,000 NHL games?" I asked.

"I guess it's safe to say that's you,"she said. "Hey! That's really cool."

I was handed a microphone and became part of the evening. Several hockey fans immediately recognized me, including some in Philadelphia Flyers apparel. As a result, I only caught the latter 25 minutes or so of regulation and then watched the OT.

It was a hell of a finish to a very evenly fought series. Fun times. I was glad that the ending was clean. The poor Caps seem snakebitten, though. Maybe they need an exorcism.

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Paul Stewart holds the distinction of being the first U.S.-born citizen to make it to the NHL as both a player and referee. On March 15, 2003, he became the first American-born referee to officiate in 1,000 NHL games.

Today, Stewart is an officiating and league discipline consultant for the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and serves as director of hockey officiating for the ECAC.

The longtime referee heads Officiating by Stewart, a consulting, training and evaluation service for officials. Stewart also maintains a busy schedule as a public speaker, fund raiser and master-of-ceremonies for a host of private, corporate and public events. As a non-hockey venture, he is the owner of Lest We Forget.

In addition to his blogs for HockeyBuzz every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, Stewart writes a column every Wednesday for the Huffington Post.