That being said it was a great game the other night. I had no problem with the scrums and the ill feelings. If it was a love in it would not be the best rivalry in hockey . I loved the game.

I have to admit I thought the Keith hit was cheap and Pri$ey sent me the video of the original hit and I seen it was a cheap shot also.
- VANTEL

Agreed, Keith did deserve a suspension. I think most of us can agree on that. It's too bad the players in general don't have enough respect for each other to curtail this and it's equally frustrating that the NHL doesn't seem to have any idea on how to deal with it.

Keith deserves ten, and Sedin deserves nothing for the hit on Keith? Please.

Here's another way of looking at it. How much did you think Kronwall deserved for the hit on Kesler 12/21? Honestly. Don't lie for the sake of argument. Tell the truth.

And how much did he get?

I know they're somewhat different kinds of plays. But was there intent to injure in both cases? Yes. Any idiot knows it.

Does Kronwall have a track record of trying to take guys heads off (even though some of his hits are clean)? Yes.

I have no issue with suspending Keith. But it's time Shanahan stopped soft-pedaling certain guys. It's become laughable. And yes, anyone asking, I do think Kronwall is guilty of dirty hits almost as often as not.

Some are clean. Some are not.
- John Jaeckel

The bottom line is arguments over something like this are null and void. Homers take there stance, and agitated opposing fans take there stance.

There is no winning argument to this cunundrum. The only thing we can agree on is the NHL disciplinary system needs to get there act together.

Im happy with Duncs getting five, And I wouldnt mind Danny getting 1. But since Daniels head has suffered damage and Keiths didnt. This is your result.

now how about we all talk like civil, None baboon-like hockey fans

your the american here....just who was it that elected george w. TWICE.
- fullblown

Your defensiveness and your punctuation/grammar/capitalization suggests you must be a teacher in that system.

Agreed, Keith did deserve a suspension. I think most of us can agree on that. It's too bad the players in general don't have enough respect for each other to curtail this and it's equally frustrating that the NHL doesn't seem to have any idea on how to deal with it.
- jhawk159

Lets take the names off the back of the sweaters and say player A hit is worthy of 10 games seeing it was intent to injure .

Player B was careless and wild and should be an automatic 3 games.

They should have this already set in stone. Shanny should not be spinning the Wheel of Misfortune to see how many games to hand out.

There should be a template in place .This hit covered this this and this and this is how many games you get.

If Cooke can clean up his act and be effective ,then anyone can. There is no need to rip off a players head. When I seen Torres hit against Seabrook I thought he was gone for the playoffs. When I seen Romes hit on Horton I thought it was worthy of 2 games. No one knows WTF a suspension should be worth including the refs.,and that is just wrong,

Sedin hit Keith from the front along the boards. Sedin's shoulder touched his chin but it wasn't blindside, initial contact wasn't the head, he didn't have a big head of steam. Has anybody ever been suspended for that? Can you point to a YouTube of a similar hit someone got suspended for?

The closest thing I can think of is some Pronger suspensions, but he used his forearm and elbow directly to the head closer to what Keith did (Pronger smashed them into the glass unlike Keith).

Keith was head hunting plain and simple, guys were getting suspended for that long before the headshot rule was even created. Five games is longer than he would have gotten in previous seasons but not out of line with this year's suspensions.

Do you play hockey? These guys go fast and focus on puckhandling. If you get pulled around the elbow, it's often enough to throw you off balance.
- micah555

As a Referee you should take the time to read the entire post. He clearly says "Maybe someone who plays can help me understand". Answer the question without sarcasm please. You have to admit, certain players do go down a lot easier than others.

Sedin hit Keith from the front along the boards. Sedin's shoulder touched his chin but it wasn't blindside, initial contact wasn't the head, he didn't have a big head of steam. Has anybody ever been suspended for that? Can you point to a YouTube of a similar hit someone got suspended for?

The closest thing I can think of is some Pronger suspensions, but he used his forearm and elbow directly to the head closer to what Keith did (Pronger smashed them into the glass unlike Keith).

Keith was head hunting plain and simple, guys were getting suspended for that long before the headshot rule was even created. Five games is longer than he would have gotten in previous seasons but not out of line with this year's suspensions.
- noffsin6

You just saved me a bunch of typing. Well done!

Lets take the names off the back of the sweaters and say player A hit is worthy of 10 games seeing it was intent to injure .

Player B was careless and wild and should be an automatic 3 games.

They should have this already set in stone. Shanny should not be spinning the Wheel of Misfortune to see how many games to hand out.

There should be a template in place .This hit covered this this and this and this is how many games you get.

If Cooke can clean up his act and be effective ,then anyone can. There is no need to rip off a players head. When I seen Torres hit against Seabrook I thought he was gone for the playoffs. When I seen Romes hit on Horton I thought it was worthy of 2 games. No one knows WTF a suspension should be worth including the refs.,and that is just wrong,
- VANTEL

this is where my frustration comes from - exact same hits warrant different penalties and there is no rhyme or reason. Doan gets 3 and Keith gets 5 - don't get it. Retaliation was not part of the equation per Shanny's own words. Injury? Sorry - that doesn't cut it - there is NO clue how "hurt" sedin is.
head shots are head shots - sedin and keith should both be dealt with for their hits.
knee to groin should be dealt with too.
address the lack of respect the players display for each other and be consistent.
just because a player can handle an elbow to the head better than another doesn't mean the offender should get off easier - not logical
if they were going to hand out suspensions based on injury, loser bertuzzi would still be sitting

Vancouver fans are just incredible thinking that Keith deserves 9+ games and that Sedin was a clean hit. Keith received a suspension and I think he deserved it. It was on the high end, but you cannot mess with head injuries. It was a deliberate hit to the head, and with the way Toews is feeling, we cannot continue to see this around the league. That being said, not too much will change in the playoff hunt. I'm glad because chances are Hawks will keep the 6th seed and play the Kings.
- HawksHype

I wouldn't want to play the Kings right now, just saying.

Your defensiveness and your punctuation/grammar/capitalization suggests you must be a teacher in that system.
- Kentxo

American making fun of the Canadian education system? Now THAT'S funny!

I hope that next season the NHL gets serious about head shots. The system is pretty much a joke right now, as evidenced by the 5 game ban to Keith.

this is where my frustration comes from - exact same hits warrant different penalties and there is no rhyme or reason. Doan gets 3 and Keith gets 5 - don't get it. Retaliation was not part of the equation per Shanny's own words. Injury? Sorry - that doesn't cut it - there is NO clue how "hurt" sedin is.
head shots are head shots - sedin and keith should both be dealt with for their hits.
knee to groin should be dealt with too.
address the lack of respect the players display for each other and be consistent.
just because a player can handle an elbow to the head better than another doesn't mean the offender should get off easier - not logical
if they were going to hand out suspensions based on injury, loser bertuzzi would still be sitting
- dpard

I can see a difference between Done's chicken wing and Keith's blatant elbow. Either way, I wish both of them would have been a lot lengthier suspensions. A flying elbow to the head of a guy without the puck is pretty much as bad as it can get and it only got a 5 game suspension. Other major leagues like the NFL and MLB are cracking down big time on their big problems: Headshots and steroids. Look at the punishments they hand out. Guys are banned for entire seasons or half seasons for things. NHL is far behind.

Ok, whats done is done.

5 games, now lets move on.

Though it sounds a little harsh and not ideal circumstances, but I am of the mind that the longer term effect of the hit by Keith to be positive for the Hawks. Many teams are used to slapping the Hawks around with no repercussion. Again, not condoning that hit.

I hope they continue to rally around each other.

While predicting events can make one look foolish, put me on the record for this, should Nashville lose tomorrow they will be in big trouble down the stretch.

Brings about another lesson, that is the inclination to want to add players at the deadline. Nashville, in their honorable attempt to improve their team and stroke their impending free agents may have subtracted by addition. That is they disrupted the good karma and chee that had them playing great hockey. Now, they are not the same team. This is why chemistry and intangibles are more important than talent.

Of course, they could win tomorrow and Sunday, but my gut says no.

I am sure if I am wrong, you guys will all go easy on me.

American making fun of the Canadian education system? Now THAT'S funny!

I hope that next season the NHL gets serious about head shots. The system is pretty much a joke right now, as evidenced by the 5 game ban to Keith.
- woopstash

Deryk Engelland should have been suspended for his hit on Kruger as well. The inconsistency in the discipline is maddening.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_795jrQti6I

this is where my frustration comes from - exact same hits warrant different penalties and there is no rhyme or reason. Doan gets 3 and Keith gets 5 - don't get it. Retaliation was not part of the equation per Shanny's own words. Injury? Sorry - that doesn't cut it - there is NO clue how "hurt" sedin is.
head shots are head shots - sedin and keith should both be dealt with for their hits.
knee to groin should be dealt with too.
address the lack of respect the players display for each other and be consistent.
just because a player can handle an elbow to the head better than another doesn't mean the offender should get off easier - not logical
if they were going to hand out suspensions based on injury, loser bertuzzi would still be sitting
- dpard

We know this but the NHL doesn't

Well said.

I can see a difference between Done's chicken wing and Keith's blatant elbow. Either way, I wish both of them would have been a lot lengthier suspensions. A flying elbow to the head of a guy without the puck is pretty much as bad as it can get and it only got a 5 game suspension. Other major leagues like the NFL and MLB are cracking down big time on their big problems: Headshots and steroids. Look at the punishments they hand out. Guys are banned for entire seasons or half seasons for things. NHL is far behind.
- woopstash

So do I . I don't care if it is Kesler Burrows Toews Crosby or anyone. If you commit the crime you do the time.

I can see a difference between Done's chicken wing and Keith's blatant elbow. Either way, I wish both of them would have been a lot lengthier suspensions. A flying elbow to the head of a guy without the puck is pretty much as bad as it can get and it only got a 5 game suspension. Other major leagues like the NFL and MLB are cracking down big time on their big problems: Headshots and steroids. Look at the punishments they hand out. Guys are banned for entire seasons or half seasons for things. NHL is far behind.
- woopstash

lol, Nice location.

I can see a difference between Done's chicken wing and Keith's blatant elbow. Either way, I wish both of them would have been a lot lengthier suspensions. A flying elbow to the head of a guy without the puck is pretty much as bad as it can get and it only got a 5 game suspension. Other major leagues like the NFL and MLB are cracking down big time on their big problems: Headshots and steroids. Look at the punishments they hand out. Guys are banned for entire seasons or half seasons for things. NHL is far behind.
- woopstash

doan was not a chicken wing - he stuck his elbow out cause benn was going around him, plus he is a repeat offender and he had been fined the week before for another hit.
doesn't matter how you hit a guy in the head - headshot is headshot. treat them each the same. repeat offenders keep getting x number of games added on for each instance
i know i must be looking at it too simplistically - it just seems too simple.
total disrespect for other players and the game is pretty easy to detect (knee to groin) - again, easy to punish

I can see a difference between Done's chicken wing and Keith's blatant elbow. Either way, I wish both of them would have been a lot lengthier suspensions. A flying elbow to the head of a guy without the puck is pretty much as bad as it can get and it only got a 5 game suspension. Other major leagues like the NFL and MLB are cracking down big time on their big problems: Headshots and steroids. Look at the punishments they hand out. Guys are banned for entire seasons or half seasons for things. NHL is far behind.
- woopstash

I agree that the NHL needs to crack down on the head shots much harder than they have. I also agree that Keith's hit was dirty as hell. But the NHL made their own bed with the suspension decisions thus far. If they all of a sudden changed the way they are going to decide suspensions at the end of the season they would look like an even bigger joke. They need to figure out a better method of deciding on the punishments, the system is far too subjective as it is right now.

Ok, whats done is done.

5 games, now lets move on.

Though it sounds a little harsh and not ideal circumstances, but I am of the mind that the longer term effect of the hit by Keith to be positive for the Hawks. Many teams are used to slapping the Hawks around with no repercussion. Again, not condoning that hit.

I hope they continue to rally around each other.

While predicting events can make one look foolish, put me on the record for this, should Nashville lose tomorrow they will be in big trouble down the stretch.

Brings about another lesson, that is the inclination to want to add players at the deadline. Nashville, in their honorable attempt to improve their team and stroke their impending free agents may have subtracted by addition. That is they disrupted the good karma and chee that had them playing great hockey. Now, they are not the same team. This is why chemistry and intangibles are more important than talent.

Of course, they could win tomorrow and Sunday, but my gut says no.

I am sure if I am wrong, you guys will all go easy on me.
- TrueGrit

Last years Rome hit rallied the Bruins .

As a Referee you should take the time to read the entire post. He clearly says "Maybe someone who plays can help me understand". Answer the question without sarcasm please. You have to admit, certain players do go down a lot easier than others.
- Hawksfan81

We'll see, eh? We know that, don't know if everyone can admit it.

It all comes down to toughness. If DK were a wimp like #22 in the angry fish sweater, he would be dropping to the ice like he were shot every time he was hit.

I know DK isn't playing close to his Norris 09-10 season but he's been better lately and a huge reason why they won it all 2 seasons ago. I'd still take him in a heart beat over either one of the twins. So glad the 'Hawks enabled the Nux to get both of those sissys when they traded picks that summer.

Can't help it but I keep coming back to this video. It tells you all you'll ever need to know about the toughness and character of this player. And I couldn't care less if Marchand is this 'punk' as viewed by some; I'd take him in the Indian Head Sweater. In fact, because it was a rookie, it's an even bigger disappointment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEh53OWz0jU

If that happened to a player in the Indian Head Sweater and he didn't fight back in some way, I would be completely and utterly embarrassed.

this is where my frustration comes from - exact same hits warrant different penalties and there is no rhyme or reason. Doan gets 3 and Keith gets 5 - don't get it. Retaliation was not part of the equation per Shanny's own words. Injury? Sorry - that doesn't cut it - there is NO clue how "hurt" sedin is.
head shots are head shots - sedin and keith should both be dealt with for their hits.
knee to groin should be dealt with too.
address the lack of respect the players display for each other and be consistent.
just because a player can handle an elbow to the head better than another doesn't mean the offender should get off easier - not logical
if they were going to hand out suspensions based on injury, loser bertuzzi would still be sitting
- dpard

We"ll never know what was discussed in the hearing between Keith and his representatives and Shamahan's B.S. Dept of Player Safety. Maybe the Sheriff had intentions of making an example of Keith and then heard a whole litany of what actually went on on the ice that night and decided to commute the suspension to 5 games.

There is all kinds of crap going on behind the scenes, including politicking by Gillis and Vigneault to make the impact of Sedin's injury on the Canucks sound as bad as possible. And who knows whether the NHLPA weighed in in support of Keith.

The penalty to Keith is stiff - I prefer to look at it as 3 games for the deed and another 2 for doing it in a really stupid way. If he wanted to "get" Daniel, a really good spear probably would have been the better approach.

Troy Murray coming on Team 1040 Vancouver for an interview shortly.

Last years Rome hit rallied the Bruins .
- VANTEL

Talk about playing with the piranha.

Deryk Engelland should have been suspended for his hit on Kruger as well. The inconsistency in the discipline is maddening.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_795jrQti6I
- jhawk159

Exactly. Zac Rinaldo just got two games for doing this (leaving his skates to deliver a hit). In Rinaldo's case, the guy he hit stayed in the game. Zero consistency.

this is where my frustration comes from - exact same hits warrant different penalties and there is no rhyme or reason. Doan gets 3 and Keith gets 5 - don't get it. Retaliation was not part of the equation per Shanny's own words. Injury? Sorry - that doesn't cut it - there is NO clue how "hurt" sedin is.
head shots are head shots - sedin and keith should both be dealt with for their hits.
knee to groin should be dealt with too.
address the lack of respect the players display for each other and be consistent.
just because a player can handle an elbow to the head better than another doesn't mean the offender should get off easier - not logical
if they were going to hand out suspensions based on injury, loser bertuzzi would still be sitting
- dpard

I will admit I have an axe to grind, but the worst offense in terms of the suspension is wiz's hit on clutterbuck in the preseason. A hit I remind you resulted in no injury and clutterbuck playing the next shift. The NHL is just a sh*t show.

this is where my frustration comes from - exact same hits warrant different penalties and there is no rhyme or reason. Doan gets 3 and Keith gets 5 - don't get it. Retaliation was not part of the equation per Shanny's own words. Injury? Sorry - that doesn't cut it - there is NO clue how "hurt" sedin is.
head shots are head shots - sedin and keith should both be dealt with for their hits.
knee to groin should be dealt with too.
address the lack of respect the players display for each other and be consistent.
just because a player can handle an elbow to the head better than another doesn't mean the offender should get off easier - not logical
if they were going to hand out suspensions based on injury, loser bertuzzi would still be sitting
- dpard

THIS. Doan's hit and Keith's hit were VERY similar, except Benn got up from Doan's hit and Sedin is hurt from Keith's. Doan is a repeat offender gets 3 games. Keith is clean and has a history of being targeted by the Canucks (we haven't forgotten Burrows' girly hair-pull), yet gets 5.

That said, beyond the injustice of the decision, I'm fine with Keith getting 5 to rest up. Hawks are in the playoffs and will finish where they finish. A rested Duncan Keith makes a better Hawks' team.