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Pronger Gets A Game, Again
by Paul on 06/03/07 at 01:52 PM ET
Comments (9)
from TSN,
The NHL has come down on the Ducks’ Chris Pronger for the second time in the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs.
The league has suspended Pronger for one game for a shot to the head Ottawa Senators’ Dean McAmmond during Game 3 on Saturday.
Pronger had a hearing with the NHL’s director of hockey operations Colin Campbell on Sunday.
added 1:54pm,
“A variety of factors were considered in reaching this decision,” said NHL Senior Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell. “Mr. Pronger used his forearm to deliver a forceful hit to the head of his opponent. Also, his actions caused injury to his opponent.”
added 2:58pm, The Ottawa Senators P.R. department put together some quotes from those involved on the Sens side…
Reaction from Dean McAmmond - Ottawa Senators player:
“I think it should have been a suspension because it was a blow to the head. It wasn’t incidental. It’s not like that couldn’t have been avoided.”
On how Dean is feeling: “I’m feeling pretty much the same as I was yesterday—a little bit ‘headachy’, not feeling quite right. I’m going to do everything I can, or as little as a I can, to feel good tomorrow. I want to play but at this point in time, I’m not sure right now.”
Reaction from Bryan Murray - Ottawa Senators head coach:
“I think the history of Chris Pronger comes into to help play a little bit. There was a very obvious elbow to the head. And we’ve adamantly gone after the fact that hits to the head cause damage and should be penalized severely. And in this case they (NHL) did it.”
Reaction from John Muckler - Ottawa Senators general manager:
“It’s no doubt that he did this on purpose. Unfortunately, we have a player that is injured and has a concussion. And it’s doubtful whether he’ll be able to play on Monday. Hopefully he will. We just have to move forward.”
Filed in: NHL Officiating, NHL Playoff Talk, Anaheim Ducks | KK Hockey | Permalink
Comments
Colin says forearm. I say elbow. I wonder if that was the difference.
And yes, I think repeat offence should’ve carried a mandatory doubling of the sentence, anyway, but the fact that he’s being suspended during the Final is apparently enough.
Posted by Doogie2K from Calgary on 06/03/07 at 01:23 PM ET
Should it matter if the player was hurt or not? If they really want to stop headshots shouldn’t the NHL just say any hit to the head is a no-no…
Posted by CapsBlueJackets from Ohio State University on 06/03/07 at 01:25 PM ET
He should have got at least 2 games, maybe even 3.
Posted by PuckHound61 from Speckville USA on 06/03/07 at 01:31 PM ET
I guess they figure 1 Stanley Cup game is equivalent to 4-5 in the regular season, but I don’t like that. Now would be a good time to send a message about eliminating head shots.
And kudos to Murray and McAmmond for atleast sounding calm in their quotes. I would have flipped my lid after a head shot like that.
Posted by tbanks3 on 06/03/07 at 02:17 PM ET
Where is Chris Neils Suspension?
Posted by FlyersFan on 06/03/07 at 03:40 PM ET
You’ll have to show me what Niel did to deserve a suspension. In yesterday’s game, I just saw him throw some hits.
Posted by false_cause from DC on 06/03/07 at 03:53 PM ET
Just ask Chris Drury where the Neil hit was… he’ll remember.
And they should have tossed Pronger for the remainder of the series. It’s inexcusable and if the league really wanted to do something about it, there would never have been a better time.
Posted by Ben on 06/03/07 at 04:47 PM ET
I don’t think Drury remembers where the Neil hit was.
Neil didn’t knock anyone out. Neil wasn’t already suspended for the same thing last series. Pronger is dirty plain and simple.
Posted by AlfieFan on 06/04/07 at 09:15 AM ET
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The NHL choked big time on this decision. Its one thing to be a repeat offender, its an entirely different thing to not even make it through 5 games before re-offending.
I also have a question. In NHL history, what is the fewest number of games played between a suspension? I certainly can’t think of anyone getting suspended twice in 5 games, but maybe it has happened before? Anyone know?
Posted by Darrell from Waterloo on 06/03/07 at 01:22 PM ET