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Tuesday, 19 April 2011 13:35

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

The NHL handed down justice for Penguins forward Chris Kunitz and Lightning forward Steve Downie.

According to TSN's Bob McKenzie, Kunitz will be suspended one game for an elbow to the head of Lightning forward Simon Gagne in the first period of Monday's Game 1:

Downie will be suspended one game for charging Penguins defenseman Ben Lovejoy in the first period as well.

Gagne and Lovejoy did not suffer injuries.

EN Says: We really don't know what to say frankly. How do you gauge what is suspension-worthy in this garage league any more? And how do you formulate what one trangression is worth in terms of suspension length versus another?

Regardless, both players deserved suspension.

Comments (16)

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written by Disgruntled Goat, April 19, 2011 - 03:01 PM

Not surprising. The one thing you knew for sure was that whatever the NHL handed down, it would be the same for each player.
I guess its fortunate that the Pens have a top six guy like Comrie hanging around. The Lightning didn't scratch any forwards, so look for them to dress seven defencemen.

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written by jameshutton, April 19, 2011 - 03:04 PM

That was easy. No way they were going to suspend one more than the other.

Are we to assume that Matt Cooke was suspended 13-16 games just for being Matt Cooke - as his elbow was virtually identical to Kunitz's?

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written by eman41, April 19, 2011 - 03:16 PM

The NHL does treat playoff games with more weight than in the regular season (maybe worth 3 or 4?), but like everything they do it doesn't make any sense.

Shannahan said that "he didn't like the Torres hit" but said "it wasn't illegal." A poll of GMs had 8 thinking he should have been suspended and the next day a similar hit happens and a player is suspended 1 game.

What. The. Hell.

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written by Staal Tactics11, April 19, 2011 - 03:19 PM

Downey - History of cheap shots.

Kunitz - No history of cheap shots.

Torres - Fresh off a suspension for cheap shot.

Each get one game except Torres who gets nothing.

Maybe this is why the NHL has never been as popular as the other 3 major sports...or anywhere close.

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written by eman41, April 19, 2011 - 03:21 PM

I don't think inconsistency in disciple is keeping people from tuning in. It's the simple fact that hockey isn't that popular in the USA.

(The NHL did just sign a $200M, 10 year TV deal)

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written by NC Dave, April 19, 2011 - 03:56 PM

NHL.com
According to TSN reports, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Chris Kunitz and Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steve Downie have each been suspended one game by the NHL...

I would have thought that the NHL would have known about the suspensions before TSN did.

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written by Bones, April 19, 2011 - 03:58 PM

I am fine with this, kinda figured that the suspensions would match.

I don't think anybody understands why Raffi Torres will be playing tonight, his mom probably thinks he should be suspended...

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written by waxtell, April 19, 2011 - 04:17 PM

Wait... NHL.com cited TSN as their source? That there is quality

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written by jethro, April 19, 2011 - 04:18 PM

Difference between the Downie hit and the Torres hit, is that Torres didn't launch himself like Downie did. Also, it looked like the initial contact was to the chest/shoulder not the head. (Although this can be, and certainly has been, debated.)

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written by Staal Tactics11, April 19, 2011 - 04:23 PM

There has to be something written down on how they decide how many games players get suspended....would we not all agree that Bertuzzi is the ultimate past offender? He didn't get anything for launching, leaving the ice, and ultimately elbowing another player.

Of course, I subscribe to the party of he should have been banned from the NHL after he broke Moore's neck but that makes too much sense.

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written by jethro, April 19, 2011 - 04:32 PM

From what I understand, under the terms of the CBA, Bertuzzi was NOT considered a repeat offender because the Moore incident was too far in the past. I guess under the CBA, your slate gets wiped clean after some period of time (not sure how long).

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written by espo33, April 19, 2011 - 05:13 PM

This will hurt us more then them. If they put Comrie there he won't do anything and Tangs probably would be a little better, but still won't produce.

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written by Bones, April 19, 2011 - 05:45 PM

Think I like Comrie over Tangradi just because of experience.

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written by Disgruntled Goat, April 19, 2011 - 05:58 PM

Would you put Dupuis in Kunitz's spot and move someone like Asham to the third line? That would break up their most effective line. Tangradi might be a better choice to replace Asham on the fourth line.
If you're just going to plug someone in on Staal's line, then Comrie might be the better choice.

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written by Bones, April 19, 2011 - 07:22 PM

I wouldn't touch the Connor-Dupuis-Talbot line. I'd also leave Rupp-Adams-Asham together since they have been productive. Throw Comrie onto Staal's wing and see what happens.

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written by Staal Tactics11, April 19, 2011 - 08:09 PM

@Jethro....Ah, I see. That makes sense. That's real life too.

Like if I break someone's neck 9 years ago, it comes off my record, right? Once again, NHL = Joke.

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