Pronger suspended again
For the second time in two consecutive series, Anaheim Ducks’ defenseman Chris Pronger will serve a one game suspension due to elbowing an opponent in the head. He was not given a penalty for the hit in the game. Last night’s victim? Dean McAmmond, who scored the game winning goal, did not return to the ice following the injury and may not play in Game #4. He has a history of concussions and may have suffered another last night between Pronger’s elbow and his head hitting the ice when he fell.
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Chris Pronger has been suspended for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final for a blow to the head of Ottawa Senators center Dean McAmmond Saturday night.
The incident occurred at 2:01 of the third period. No penalty was assessed.
“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.”
McAmmond did lose consciousness after the hit, but it has not been announced if he suffered a concussion. This suspension is Pronger’s sixth of his career.
“This one took a lot of thought,” Colin Campbell, the NHL’s executive vice-president and director of hockey operations, said at a news conference. “It wasn’t an easy one. It didn’t jump out at us right away.
McAmmond left Saturday’s game with a head injury and is doubtful for Game 4 on Monday. “McAmmond doesn’t look promising,” Senators coach Bryan Murray said.
Anaheim leads the NHL championship series 2-1.
“We accept the league’s decision,” said Ducks coach Randy Carlyle. “We feel that the player did not attempt to hurt Dean McAmmond. We have to live by the league’s decision.”
While I do not believe last night’s hit was as bad as the one on Tomas Holmstrom in the WCF, it was nice to see the NHL come down on a repeat offender. I’m interested to hear what excuse he throws out this time around. In the last series, Pronger blamed the Canadian media for putting pressure on the NHL and he also said it was just the law of physics.
Last night was definitely not one of Pronger’s best games.
It was a forgettable night for Pronger as he also kicked a puck into the Ducks’ net.
The Senators won the game 5-3 and cut the Ducks’ series lead to 2-1.
Pronger was suspended for Game 4 of the Western Conference final against the Detroit Red Wings after he received a one-game suspension for a hit to the head of Tomas Holmstrom.
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4 Responses to “Pronger suspended again”
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June 3rd, 2007 at 3:00 pm
God I don’t hate many people, but this lanky, sasquatch has got to be the most hated and disrespected hockey player anywhere. I personally think Pronger deserves more than one game. He was suspended for one game for his hit on Holmstrom.
June 3rd, 2007 at 11:23 pm
[…] Christy from Behind the Jersey notes that this is Pronger’s sixth suspension of his career. Should we feel sorry for him? […]
June 3rd, 2007 at 11:37 pm
While I don’t hate Pronger as much as I do Roy or Claude Lemieux, Pronger is getting closer and closer each and every postseason. I just hope Ottawa can actually take advantage of his absence unlike the Wings. I bet if Pronger had pulled the hit to the head on Holmstrom and then a couple weeks later on McAmmond in the regular season, he would’ve been suspended for more than just a game.
June 4th, 2007 at 7:01 am
[…] Thuggish Chris Pronger will miss Game 4 of the NHL Finals for a cheapshot he delivered to Dean McAmmond. (Behind the Jersey) […]