From an NHL perspective, the IIHF has a history of exaggerated suspensions. With stricter rules for head shots and anything with the mere appearance of over-aggression, Canada's national teams often seem at a disadvantage when it comes to international punishment. It's practically an annual tradition now that Canada's WJC team is depleted at some point in the tournament on account of suspensions.
So it is with some irony that Edler's increased ban was levied with a Canadian playing the role as victim. But that's besides the point. Any way you look at it, his knee-on-knee against Eric Staal was reckless. And truth be told, given the IIHF's history, additional punishment was expected and, to a legitimate degree, warranted. But a very large part of me protests this decision, nonetheless.
