Giroux suspended for Game 5
Daily News Flyers blog
Giroux suspended for Game 5
If the Flyers are going to avoid elimination on Tuesday night in Game 5 against New Jersey, they are going to have to do it without their top point producer and leader.
The NHL has decided to suspend Flyers forward Claude Giroux for one game as a result of his high hit on New Jersey’s Dainius Zubrus late in the second period on Sunday night.
“Claude Giroux delivered an illegal check to the head,” NHL vice president of player safety Brendan Shanahan said in a video explanation (embedded below). “After pulling even with Zubrus on the backcheck, Giroux chops down Zubrus’ stick. Well after the puck has been chipped into the corner, Giroux comes across Zubrus’ body with his shoulder, making principal point of contact with Zubrus’ head.”
Shanahan used the term “reckless” to describe Giroux’s choice of contact.
“We feel this reckless picking of the head rises to the level of supplemental discipline,” Shanahan said. “We have taken into consideration that though he was shaken up, Zubrus returned to the game and finished it.”
This is Giroux’s first suspension or fine in his four-year NHL career.
Shanahan pointed out that Giroux displayed frustration – by turning his back to the play to continue complaining to an official about a missed call – which added to the intent factor.
Giroux issued a statement through the Flyers’ public relations staff that says he “respects” Shanahan’s decision and “wants to move on.” Giroux said he had a 15 to 20 minute hearing with Shanahan over the phone on Monday morning.
He was originally given a two-minute minor for head contact on Sunday night.
"I'm not a dirty player," Giroux told reporters on Sunday. "I don't want to hit guys on the head. I was just trying to finish my hit there."
Then, later, when asked specifically about a review by dean of discipline Brendan Shanahan, Giroux said, "I think I should be fine. He was leaning in. At the same time, [the Devils' Anton] Volchenkov also hit [the Flyers' Wayne] Simmonds in the face with an elbow. They can look at that one, too."
For his part, Zubrus declined to comment on whether it was a dirty hit.
"I'm not going to comment on whether it was dirty or not," Zubrus said. "It's playoffs. They try to hit us, we try to hit them. There's plenty of hits that I guess you can say are questionable, or whatever. I think he got a penalty. I think it was deserved. That's about it."
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Whether Giroux gets suspended or not, the Flyers have been getting their rears handed to them and no one guy can make a difference.
I would hope that some pride and coaching combine to make the Flyers strong in their next game. If not, the story remains the same. It is absolutely, mind-boggling, angst provoking frustrating to be a sports fan in this city that gets championships as often as the Sahara gets soaking rainstorms. YUK!— psubrian- I hear Giroux is contemplating changing his name to Shea Webber. In the meantime, Shanahan and Bettman need time to get their bets in to the bookmakers in Las Vegas before any decision gets announced.— Claudio Vernight
- If he gets a game, so be it. At least he's showing that he's ticked off about losing, unlike his figure skating teammates.— shadesofdeath
- HUGE dive on this play. No suspension.— mbrown3
- He should absolutely 100% be suspended. That was an intentional hit out of frustration. You could see his rage after the non call on Brodeur. If that was done to him we would be demanding a suspension . It works both ways. Giroux was out of control all night whining about every little thing that was happening on the ice. He was totally disfocused and the Devils were in his head. A suspension is warranted and may be the best thing to help him mature. He was clearly not a leader last night when they needed him the most.— flyers1000
- I'm a flyers fan, but points to Zubrus for avoiding being baited by reporters.— Another_1
- Doesn't matter does it...series is over.— jcpaul
- A shoulder to the chin was always viewed differently as an elbow to the head. the new pussified NHL is trying not to seperate the 2. The hit everyone praises Stevens for which altered Eric Lindros' career forever is 100% illegal in the game being played today.
- A complete joke... Neal goes after two guys 1 game. Malkin nothing. A JOKE!— fman727
- What a joke Brendan Shanahan is... he shouldn't even be in that position... Shanahan - a guy who went into the stands to fight fans.— GreggT
- So he got suspended?!?! Neal launches himself, doesn't hurt Courtier, AND HAS A LENGTHY HISTORY of issues = 1 game. G gets one game for not hurting Zubrus and NOT having a history of issues. NHL can be a joke at times.— mikeyo27
- Stop complaining. It doesn't matter as the series is over anyway. With or without Giroux.— whsbuss
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- That hit was no where near suspension worthy and is laughable that he got 1 game. Neal ran all over the ice hitting G in the head and Cotourier who was no where near the puck. To lump them together is a joke. If G's hit is woth a game, Neal's hit should have been worth 5. Having said all that, Pitt railled when Neal was out. NJ rallied when Kovalchuk was out......maybe this what they need???— Tar Heel 1
