Jamie Benn needs to be suspended. Those who did not see the third contest this season between the St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars may be left scratching their heads as to why the league’s leading goal scorer would need to be suspended. If you saw his reaction to a tiny bump from the Blues’ Robert Bortuzzo, you might have a better understanding.

Gamesmanship is one thing. Everyone, in every sport tries to find a little bit of an advantage and that is understandable to a point. For example, the entire contest, Benn was slashing and hooking and crosschecking only to turn around and complain to the officials whenever he was touched. Say what you will about that type of thing, it is within the rules and most players do something similar to one degree or another.

However, Benn took it a step too far. During a stoppage in play following a penalty against the Blues, Bortuzzo gave a slight nudge to the midsection of Benn. Benn then proceeded to put on an act worthy of all the disdain heaped upon international soccer players. He grabbed his face, feigning a strike to the jaw in order to draw another penalty. He got what he wanted and the Stars got the winning goal on the ensuing powerplay.

Apologists will say the Blues had other opportunities to score, the Stars still scored two more goals or argue that Benn was smart to know there was only one official on the ice due to the second referee being delayed by weather. All of it is nonsense.

Love or hate soccer, diving and faking injuries has become an almost incurable scourge on the sport. It has already begun to trickle into hockey. Players purposely leave their skates in the area of sticks, knowing it will be called a trip even if incidental. Players clamp sticks into their armpits in an attempt to draw hooking calls instead of being called for holding the stick. Now Benn took it to the next step faking an injury to the face when he was not struck anywhere near.

The NHL cannot sit still on this matter. They must a loud and clear message that this sort of play will not be tolerated in hockey. It is a slippery slope, but players are smart. If it gets around that players can fool officials into penalties that could impact games, they will take advantage. The league must set the right example by suspending Jamie Benn.