No suspension for Pronger
Anaheim Ducks defenceman Chris Pronger has managed to pull off the infamous skate blade stomp on another player and get away free and clear.
In a game last night, against the Vancouver Canucks, Pronger stomped on the calf of Canucks forward Ryan Kesler following a collision early in the game. Kesler was uninjured on the play but was convinced Pronger deliberately dropped his skate blade on his leg.
Pronger is no stranger to suspensions. He was suspended twice last year during the playoffs, once during the Western Conference Finals, and again during the Stanley Cup Finals.
What's unusual about this incident is that then New York Islanders forward recieved a 30 game suspension for a similiar act he pulled against Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jaarko Ruutu. Granted, Simon was fresh off a suspension for attempting to decapitate Rangers pest Ryan Holleweg the previous year, and has a history of pulling maneuvers that most with common sense would not. While Pronger doesnt' quite have the history Simon does, he is far from being a Lady Byng candidate. The major difference between the two is that Pronger is a superstar, and Simon is not. The NHL should look into this further.
Here is the video of Pronger's alleged skate stomp.
Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh
Comments
I'm not pleased about this. While the video doesn't provide much evidence that the stomp was malicious, the fact that he did it at all needs to be addressed. After what happened to zednik, everybody should be aware of what skateblades are capable of, and a player needs to always be aware of what he's putting his blades into.
I'd say he should have gotten at least a 2 game suspension. You can't prove intent, but it'd send the message that no stomping, even unintentional, will go unpunished.
I don't think it has anything to do with Pronger's status, though. They were very quick about suspending him when he elbowed Holmstrom in the face.
Posted by: jeff | March 14, 2008 02:24 AM