Pronger Suspended for Game 4
In my writeup for the game last night, I stuck to mentioning Rob Niedermayer as he was the only person penalized for the headshot delivered to Tomas Holmstrom. But the NHL reviewed the tape and decided that Anaheim defenseman Chris Pronger deserved to miss some time on the ice as well. The league has suspended him for the game that will be played tomorrow night in Anaheim.
I was shocked when I heard about the suspension as I literally expected the league to do nothing. That shock wasn’t because I didn’t think the hit was worthy of a suspension; I think it was the right decision. It’s just that the league has seemed to be unwilling to hand down suspensions unless a player’s actions are grossly outside the rulebook - such as taking a stick to another player’s head or punching a player who is in a defenseless position.
Anaheim’s reputation could have factored into the decision. Brad May was suspended for three games in the playoffs for punching Kim Johnsson. Then there was Corey Perry’s decision while being Mic’d Up to threaten a couple Red Wings players. Yes, the same Corey Perry who ended up missing a couple shifts in the game when he tried somewhat slyly to run Chris Chelios from behind at center ice with the puck nowhere near either player. Finally, Pronger - who has a reptutation for going overboard when his emotions get the best of him - tried to injure Tomas Holmstrom with an elbow to the back of the head.
The NHL probably had no choice but to mete out punishment.
Chris Pronger NHL Playoffs Red WingsNo Comments
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