Giroux suspension too harsh (UPDATED)
Giroux suspension too harsh
Giroux suspension too harsh (UPDATED)
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
Well, the Flyers have their rallying cry.
NHL dean of discipline Brendan Shanahan has done it. He has suspended the Flyers’ Claude Giroux for one game for a hit to the head of the Devils’ Dainius Zubrus in Game 4 of their playoff series Sunday night. Shanahan has suspended a superstar player with no discipline history, for a hit that did not cause an injury, for a game in which his team can be eliminated.
Brave new world.
I didn’t think the hit was worth a suspension -- because Giroux did not have a history, and because Zubrus did not sustain a significant injury, and because the 6-foot-5 Zubrus was kind of leaning over already -- it was the only way the 5-foot-11 Giroux could have contacted Zubrus’ face with his shoulder. There was all of that, which made it a close call -- and there was Giroux’s status on his team and the precariousness of his team’s current circumstances, trailing three games to one in the series.
It didn’t matter. It was going to be close, and Shanahan has made a clear statement here. His willingness to suspend a star without a rap sheet, on a hit without an injury, at such a crucial moment in a playoff series, will send shockwaves around the NHL -- make no mistake. If this is the way it is going to be, we really have crossed a threshold.
Shanahan typically releases a video explanation after such a decision, and it was comprehensive in its analysis. He placed a lot of emphasis on the entirety of Giroux's shift, which was fraught with obvious frustration about a call that the officials did not make after Devils goaltender Marty Brodeur played the puck outside of the designated area. And, make no mistake: Giroux did hit Zubrus in the head, and that is against the rules, and he was properly penalized and the situation was properly reviewed by the NHL.
But we have broken new ground here. The clean history did not matter. The injury situation did not matter. What have sometimes been considered as mitigating factors were not enough to mitigate things for Giroux in an undeniably crucial situation for his team.
In my mind, the decision was too harsh. It was close, but given everything -- and, yes, for better or worse, that does include the fact it is an elimination game -- it seemed to suggest a fine and and a warning, not a suspension.
But, no. And now the Flyers will undoubtedly attempt to summon up whatever emotion they can as they try to overcome the loss of their best player. And the rest of the league will attempt to recalibrate their expectations for discipline the next time.
Brave new world.
MORE: Here are some additional thoughts, after a couple of hours of thinking about it.
It was after Game 5 of the Flyers-Penguins series. It was, you might remember, the night was the Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin was completing his second straight game of searching and destroying and pretty obviously trying to hurt an array of Flyers players.
In Game 4, there was the sneaky elbow that gave Flyers defenseman Nicklas Grossmann a concussion. In Game 5, there were two incidents: an unnecessary late hit on Brayden Schenn and an assault on Sean Couturier that, if it wasn’t a head shot, was within millimeters of being one. The Grossmann play went unseen by officials. Both of the Game 5 hits were penalized. And afterward, in the corridors below Consol Energy Center, I sought out Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren.
There was a time when it was the general manager’s job to work the officials between games of a playoff series. I was wondering if Holmgren wanted to play on the subject of Malkin. I asked the question, and he thought for a second, and then he shook his head and said, “No.”
Some of that is the man’s personality, not given to histrionics. Some of it, too, was his notion of what it is to be a good citizen in the NHL in 2012, and what it is to respect Brendan Shanahan and the whole discipline process. But there also was the sense, although he never said it, that Holmgren also was operating under the mental rules that have been a part of hockey forever.
That is: that the Penguins were on the edge of elimination, and Malkin is a star player, and those three unspoken words:
It’s the playoffs.
It is why I did not think Giroux would be suspended for his hit on Zubrus. I get that Giroux hit him in the head. But he has no history, and Zubrus was not hurt, and so many other prominent players appeared to receive the benefit of the doubt from Shanahan. Malkin did, a couple of times. The Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin did when he hit the Rangers’ Dan Girardi. The Penguins’ James Neal did when he leveled Couturier.
So why not Giroux? Why did he not receive the benefit of the doubt? Is he not a star, too? Is his team not in a desperate elimination situation, too, just as Malkin was when he spent two games wreaking havoc in the land?
The answer, apparently, is that Giroux’s was such a clear head shot that the league could not overlook it, and that the others were more body checks that involved incidental contact to the head. It is a difference without a distinction when you are the one laid out on the ice, but it is a crucial difference for the NHL.
You watch Shanahan on the video reviews and you almost never disagree with anything he says as he analyzes the pictures. Yes, Giroux was outwardly frustrated. Yes, he hit Zubrus in the head -- even if Zubrus was kind of bent over. It isn’t the analysis, but the conclusion.
If not Ovechkin, and if not Malkin, why Giroux? Because it is not as if any of them were innocent. That's the point.
Comments (113)
giroux - 5'11" - hahahahahaha— petemagoop- Toyotas are crappy cars!— NYFlyersFan
- NOCHA LOCHA---Correcto muchacha---now hang up !— bristolstomp
- rabbit neal was suspended twice before that ,you dumb rodent— Sasquatch
- @rabbit......Neal IS a repeat offender...check your facts before you post. Good article, Rich....but we all know why G was suspended: Shanny is an ex-Devil,ex-Ranger, documented Flyer-hater...and an idiot. There needs to be a PANEL of 3-5 ex-players handling discipline, not just 1 judge/jury/executioner...the system doesn't work and never will this way.— Phront_Runner
- Why focus so much on Malkin when Neal, who like G, also had no history yet got suspended for a game? Terrible article. Stop the Malkin envy, especially since he schooled your boy giroux in the scoring title race. Giroux needs to win SOMETHING before you start calling him a superstar and likewise starts getting superstar treatment.— rabbit2525
- @ drbob1 - if by rookie coach you mean a guy who coached Florida for 3 years you are correct - idiot.. stick to football— mark77m
- Gotta agree with ACBauhgman...if his name is Malkin or Crosby, he plays.— PhillySubsMac
- Apparently the whininess of Flyer fans is contagious; the press has caught it.
Clean history should not factor into any decision; neither should the fact that someone was injured seriously or not. How stupid is that, if you maim someone for life, it's a suspension but if you happen not to accomplish that, you're good to go. What idiotic thinking. Do we remember flyer fans screaming that a few Pens should have been suspended for the year for basically the same actions? Fact is, Giroux should miss 3 games just for stupidity and yes, his whininess is reaching Crosby status!— JBinPA - The league has no rhyme or reason in how they dole out suspensions and punishment because any sport that still justifies fist fights as a "part of the game" is making up the selective moral outrage as they go. Listening to Shannahan parse the nuance of the hit elucidating intent like a Great White North behavioral psychologist was laughable. How about the guy who balls up his fist and tries to punch another player in the brain Brendan? What’s the intent with that? Suspendable offense? No no…that’s just two guys dropping their gloves and settling their differences…self policing the game as the fans would say. What utter nonsense. Even discussing the logic or lack of consistency in enforcing the bizarre rules of hockey is a joke.— Chrisnchris
- Good column but I must take issue withyou. When Grossmann was concussed, you can see a referee standing 5-8 feet away looking directly at the play. It wasn't "missed" by the officials, it just wasn't called. After all, isn't Malkin a SAINT? (Except if you watch the Flyers-Pens series, where he showed how dirty he really is.)— philharmonic55
Comment removed.- I agree with your analysis. Bad call, bad break. They should be ticked off and play to win tomorrow, and hit like the Dickens!— petergou
- Haven't you sad Flyer fans realized that you didn't play the real Pens in the last round? Your team was totally duped by how bad the Pens were and it is showing now. Predictable and hysterical. Giroux best player in the league because he lit up crappy Fleury? Bwaaahahahahah. Love watching you guys flame out again. The Pens will win another Cup before the Flyers do. Hahahahaha.— Lemieux Avenger
- Nice article, Rich. But think: you run a pro sports league whose fans love a little violence, a bit of malice-with-intent, but at the same time you can't officially condone the violence that sells. So every now and then you set a harsh example. How can anybody expect consistency or fairness with a double-sided standard like that?
PS: I notice the "Vick the dog-killer" a**hole is over here now. Why don't you go back to your kennel, mutt.— rad205 - I totally agree with you pveedee!— drjimmy
- What a total joke Shanahan is. I am beginning to think that his whole process is at best arbitrary and at worst, corrupt. That may also apply to the reffing which does at times seems to target the Flyers as the perennial bullies of the league. After all if the public is told that and believes it then the NHL must play it that way to look like supporters of good, clean hockey. Giroux isn't whining by the way, it's voice of people who see how arbitrary this decision was compared to what came before.— ADever
- It was an illegal check to the head......not even a retaliation hit, just an intentional hit to the head. I'm a Flyers fan, but, the suspension is deserved.— Bigbirch
- Suspensions by this AzzClown are mostly determined by how many friends he has on your team. Apparently he has never had a friend that wore Orange and Black. Shanafarce's objective was to kill any chance the Flyers had for a comeback but maybe this will create the opposite effect. If the Flyers should happen to win the next one (despite the Devils fine play), watch out!— younged
- What is the definition of "reporter" in Philadelphia? A fan who has a press pass.— WhatWhiners
- Whiner?? Last I heard G was apologizing for his poor play of late. How's the golf game going for the Pens? Flyers may join them soon but not a choke job in round 1.— Cindy87
- Someone explain to me how a dirty player gets to be in charge of player safety. Also explain how a guy who has been molested as a teenager and didn't speak out gets this job? Shanahan was a dirty as they come. Maybe because he had an axe to grind because he had to take it in the _ _ _— NYYFlyerfan
- It sucks but he probably deserves it. It was a hit to the head, too bad it is at such an important time. What is most frustrating to me is the inconsistency from the league on these hits. Weber gets a fine, Malkin gets nothing at all for giving Grossman a concussion with a clear hit to the head, and now Giroux misses a game. Shanahan needs to be consistent, and he hasn't been in the past and is not now. Too bad, hope the rest of the team can suck it up and win tomorrow.— Mozes37
- Neal repeat offender. Left feet twice on same shift. Two head shots. Couts left ice. Giroux shaken..... Neal gets 1 game.......... Giroux did not leave his feet, not a repeat offender, zubrus was back next shift, zubrus much taller....giroux gets 1 game".................. Yeaaaaaa seems right, shanny is a joke. P.s-weber got 2500 fine— fman727
- You don't need to leave your feet to give someone a head shot--since that has apparently never occurred to most of you.— Not again
- Gotta be honest, Giroux should have been suspended. His status as a superstar and the fact that his team is facing elimination should not matter at all, neither should whether or not Zubrus was hurt. Giroux was out of control, and he hit Zubrus illegally, in the head. It deserved a 1 game ban.
This being said, I think it will actually help the Flyers. Giroux is their leader, and he has not been leading them well this series. He is first in line for the killer turnovers, the passes to no one, the fancy plays when a smart gritty one is called for.
It seems the Flyers still think they are playing pond hockey, against Pittsburgh. This is playoff hockey at its grittiest that the Devils are playing. The Flyers (Giroux in particular) were listening to ESPN talk about how great they were, and haven't been willing to get down and dirty, and match the Devils intensity.
They thought that by showing up, they'd win easily, when in fact, if they showed up AND WORKED HARD, they would have won easily. If this wakes them the hell up, and gets them in playoff hockey mode, they can still win this series. Game 5 is at home, and they shoudl be desperate. If they can play with desperation, they can win game 6 also. If they make it to game 7, I believe they will win on home ice.
The only thing that matters is they must play with desperation and maximum intensity. If they do that, they have a chance. If they don't, they'll be golfing on Wednesday, and they would deserve to be.— morningstar - I would be fine with this if Shea Weber had been suspended. Weber's hit was clearly done with malice, and he gets slapped with a $2500 fine ($5 in real people cash). I don't understand it...plus it's an elimination game as well, so he really shafted us.— warreninrochester
- I would be fine with this if Shea Weber had been suspended. Weber's hit was clearly done with malice, and he gets slapped with a $2500 fine ($5 in real people cash). I don't understand it...plus it's an elimination game as well, so he really shafted us.— warreninrochester
- It doesn't matter. The Flyers gave up 2 games ago. They're ready to go home to watch the Cup finals.— fmMD
- In all fairness, Giroux was totally wreckless and appeared to just be head-huting out there as a result of his frustration. He needs to wake up and be a professional. This is a good call. Concussions are putting more and more players at serious risk, and I commend Shanahan and the NHL for this decision. The fact that game 5 is elimination game for the flyers is the flyers fault, and shame on the author for implying this should hold any gravity in the situation. Regardless of Giroux's clean history, this was the exact hit straight to the head which is knocking players out of careers that has to be treated seriously. This ruling sends a great message that regardless of how much of a star you are, you need to be in control of yourself on the ice.— kreece27
- Giroux deserved the punishment. He's a superb player and has decided to play like Bobby Clarke in the the old Dave Schultz days. He has the talent to be a Briere, LaFleur, Perreault....or even a Crosby (though he's not as tough as Sid). He shouldn't waste his talent trying to be Philadelphia's new Clarke.There's only one Bobby Clarke, who played in different times, under different rules. Go Devils!— frenchconnection
- The kid lost it, but he has a record as victim and none as agressor. Elimination game - he should be eliminated he should have been finalist but he was replaced by a goalie in mvp? his problem is he's not a penguin. Eliminate them all. Ridiculous— LaCroix,Nolet,Gendron
- Shanahan a joke. James Neal gets one game for two separate head shots vs Flyers, one of which he left his feet (to hit Courtier). Just make it up as you go along boys. And Shea Weber from Nashville slams Zetterbergs head into glass with his hand and no suspension. Suspensions are all over the place...Shanny took too many head shots himself or has his own agenda...maybe in the pocket of some odds makers?— wilcowaits
- what, pveedee? Mr. Stevens intentionally injured 7 players in the playoffs over two seasons. His size, repetitions and intentions alone separates this from a 5'11 player skating in front of a 6'5" player, who acted like he was hit by a Scott Stevens karate shoulder elbow. All the fans here are asking for is consistency, which is clearly lacking in Shanahan's demonstration of his own concussed noggin. If I had bought tickets for tomorrow's game I'd be demanding a refund from Bettman. Does he forget what fans pay to see these stars only to see them arbitrarily suspended? I've seen the other hits that were not sanctioned. Farce. I fully support the league's attempt to control head hunting, but they have no business duping us with rationals that change from case to case. I hope Snider goes ballistic.— retzlaff
- Shanny is a joke. Losing much respect for this sport....not at all surprised.— Phillyfan666
- Last thing we need to hear about is preferential treatment for our teams. Sure seems like Phil. teams get screwed but honestly need to make their own luck instead of counting on it. Hopefully this get the Flyers riled up and they win game 5. Just need to look at it game by game not as 3. If they don't come out hot and keep the intensity for 3 periods they can count on the loss.— glove69
- flyers article after flyers article, these out of town trolls are still here. don't they realize no one pays them any mind because the real hockey fans are having a REAL hockey conversation here LOL. these guys are almost as bad as HEXY4GM, who refuses to join any convo unless it's after a flyers loss lol toolbag— 420Phillie
- Come on, Rich. Whether or not a guy gets hurt on a hit, or how badly, is most often a matter of blind luck. As far as 'first-time offender' goes, does everybody get one free head-shot? Giroux launched his shoulder at the guy's head. Like Ovechkin did at the Ranger ... but Ovie would have to carry a gun before this joke league would suspend him. And also: what the heck does the status of the series matter? Again, free dirty hits until like, Game 4 or 5?— Tangerine
- Comment removed.
- Where is the video of Shanahan suspending the ref for blatantly missing the call that led to Giroux's frustration, hit, and suspension? As usual, the refs get off without being held responsible for their incompetence. That said, the Flyers are being thoroughly outplayed and, unless something changes, they won't win with or without Giroux.— robertthomas
- Looked to me like he stepped in front of Zubie. If the intended target was a hit to the head G could have ended Zubie's season. Insane suspension. Hell it's a stretch to call the "hit" late.— Paul1954
- The articles written about this team become more pathetic with each passing day. My God.— jbruder02
- Just to clarify, a shoulder to the head gets one game. Slamming a players head into the glass repeatedly gets NOTHING (yes, a $2500 fine to an NHL player is NOTHING).— Tar Heel 1
- Does seem to be a double standard being applied here. Giroux or no Giroux our defenseman make it irrelevant. I swear they look like they are skating on cement but make up for it by coughing up the puck whenever they get a chance
- As a Devils fan, I think it stinks that Giroux will not be in there for game 5. You always want to win against the best, it gives you more confidence moving forward to the next round - which, face reality, the Devils are going to make. And he is the best on that team. Also, I do think it sets a bad precedent as the league is going overboard on protection and making the game less intense for players and fans.— vnz
- Amazing that a team that once showcased cheap-shotting Scott Stevens gets this kind of protection. Amazing.— Alpheratz
- Whoa!! There is a huge difference between hitting someone skating the puck with their head down, as Stevens was famous for, and the hit Giroux put on Zubrus....I don't agree with the suspension but Steven's wasn't a cheap shot artist... If he played for Philly you would have a statue of him next to Rocky Balboa. — pveedee
- Because the games have been close and you aren't going to intimidate this veteran team. More time in the box isn't going to help the Flyers.— pveedee
- I'm sure it's been said but I will say it again...the fact the Giroux gets a suspension for that hit and Malkin got NOTHING after putting Grossmann out for a few games is a JOKE— cheesesteak0
- This is absolutely the last time I ever get my hopes up for the Flyers. For twenty years now they've ripped my heart out by being so tantalizingly great in spurts and then so calamitously awful when it really counts (2010 aside). Yep. This is the last time. Until next January when they start looking like contenders.— Edward Creed
- If this does not get the Flyers emotions going nothing will. Perhaps Giroux's suspension will ignite this team. Why have we not dropped the gloves once in this series? Why did you not park this team with a little Zac Rinaldo.— rockinrob
- At a time when the NHL has a chance to make an inroads with the common fan they are becoming an absolute joke! Shanny has been all over the map on decision making, non suspensions when there should have been (Weber), not enough suspension on brutal hits (Neal)and now this on a player with no history that didnt leave his feet and kept his elbow down. A penalty and fine was warranted. Another inconsistent decision....puzzling...— TNFlyerNut
- Shanahan had zero choice. He had to suspend Giroux since he suspended Backstrom in almost identical circumstances just two weeks ago. No one should be surprised by the game suspension.— dpj0122
- despite what the author says, this is not new ground. mind-numbing inconsistencies in how these rules are applied are the norm in the NHL. simply look at our first series with the pengiuns. malkin's hit on gustaffson was ten times worse than this, in both intent and results. and he got nothing. not a penalty. not a fine. not a suspension. what an unforgivable joke.— tockeyhockey
- I can see why he was suspended but the guy never left his feet, lifted an elbow, etc. Yes he was frustrated and looking to hit somebody, but guys get mad all the time and hit someone hard. How is this any different than Marty getting mad and cross checking JVR's head twice with his stick?— RU95
- ok. so why didn't ovechkin get a suspension for this hit ?
http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2012/5/5/3001361/alex-ovechkin-hit-dan-girardi-capitals-rangers-nhl-playoffs-2012
— vorxty - The only ones needing to recalibrate is the Flyers. This shows the league is against them in force! If that had been Malkin or Crosby, do you think they would be suspended? Absolutely not! This league sucks with its politics. They are still considered the Broad Street Bullies and they are going to pay for it again and again. This will probably end our season and the league will get what it wants: the flyers out of the running.— Ed-fan since1973
- Season over. Lavi outcoached by a rookie coach. 37 years without a cup.— drbob1
- jeez,all you homers are pathetic. Like giroux would have made a difference.— Old German
- The Flyers won't use this as a rallying cry. They'll use it as an excuse to quit. Just watch. The Flyers will lose the next game by a comfortable margin. This team has absolutely no character.— Krupotkin
- "..and there was Giroux’s status on his team and the precariousness of his team’s current circumstances, trailing three games to one in the series." - if I was the fan on the other side of this situation, I would certainly hope this would not play into a decision. Much like I felt Crosby deserved the instigator in Game 3 when he horse-collared Hartnell over to the Pens benched only to be jumped by teammate (he was the clear instigator on that play), I feel his "status" on his team/in the league prevented the making of the call which carried with it an automatic 1 game suspension. I would expect G's "pivotal role on the Flyers" should not impact this decision. That said, the circumstances were stacked against him (Zubrus leaning down), but unfortunately the "intent" element here is also against him. He was clearly out for some frustrated vengeance during that play, which I think they want to crack down on. I don't know. Unfortunately, I think it's all moot. With or without, I think this series is sealed.— toph314
- Jagr and Simmonds have done nothing in this series. With the Flyers squarely under the gun, it's time for those two guys in particular to show up and make a difference.— rennie_gade
We have to put up 4 goals on Brodeur to have any chance of winning another game in this series....Can it be done?- Hey Shanahan... Too inconsistent . No suspension for Predator's Shea Weber for grabbing Datsuk and slamming him headfirst into the boards, but then you suspend Giroux for this ? It's the playoffs man, relax.— mortt1956
We're all "homers" in a sense, but the flyers fans take the cake. Last time I went down to a game, every call - and I mean every call including icing - the fans all around me went into apoplexy demeaning the refs. I swear not one single call was the right call.
It was laughable.
giroux, as much as you hate to admit it, deserved a suspension - he was frustrated and he headhunted. End of story.- With Giroux, Without Giroux...no matter. This series ends the same way.— tmbooth5
- Giroux did lose his cool and is now going to pay the price....You know Shanahan had it coming to the Flyers at his first opportunity. Still wondering why Malkin wasn't suspended for the hit on Grossman's chin especially since he injured him. With that said, oh well...I just wish the ref's were consistent...call a penalty when it is a penalty. You would think playing the puck outside the trapezoid would be pretty easy to see.— briman
- It's all because he wears the orange and black. First time offenders always got fined. but if you wear the orange and black it's different. time for the clueless bettman and shanahan to go!!!!!!— gavow
- Rallying cry?
Come on!
But seriously, oh how the tables have turned. The very behaviour that we decried in the Penguins, we try to justify for Claude.
Perhaps he will be portrayed as the Cowardly Lion in a terrible attempt at photoshop tomorrow on the cover!— lisabk723 - Didnt shanahan spend some time on New Jerseys roster?? I may be mistaken but I seem to remember him on NJ...that would give him a reason to suspend Giroux..— Hatfield_ham
- You are kidding, right? — lisabk723
- regassert6, I hear ya, but what set G's hit apart was the tantrum. After that, the hit looked like obvious payback.— LuvFlyers
- Flood the league office with calls
212 789 2000
— retzlaff - Giroux lost his composure on that shift and I don't have a problem with the suspension in this case. I do have a problem with the incredible inconsistency (why Giroux and not Weber, Neal, etc?) from one case to the next. Also, the punishment shouldn't have anything to do with whether either of the players involved in a collision is a superstar. With everything going on with concussions and lawsuits, the NHL just can't allow hits to the head.— jjs0101
- I've been Devils fan since day one and there is no team I want to beat more than the Flyers ( ok, maybe the Rangers) but I disagree with the suspension. The hit wasn't the cleanest and may have been a little late but I think Giroux just missed with his check. I understand that the league is trying to protect it's players but sometimes things happen. I don't want to see what has been a great series decided by a suspension. A fine would have sufficed and let the teams play full strength. Next it will be a no checking league....— pveedee
- I have a problem with the lack of consistency With Shanahan. He himself has now become a joke. Fine. Suspend Giroux as it was a hit to the head. But then explain to me why Weber wasn't suspended with his WWE turnbuckle style hit on Zetterberg? Why wasn't Ovechkin (a repeat offender I might add) suspended on his hit on Girardi? Maybe he should have clear black and white rules what warrants a suspension/fine. But I guess that would take some of the power out of his hands.— puckurself
- yea, cause weber didnt deserve a game for grabbing the back of someones head and slaming it into the glass, twice. or malkin elbowing g and danny. Neal has been suspended twice before and got one game for two hits. G hits zubie and gets a game in the playoffs? Na. No reason why it should be that steep. If another hit happens this year and there isn't a suspension, the nhl got no where. bush league.— azguz
- Comment removed.
- This is a tough pill to swallow, but G deserved the penalty and my first thought when I saw the hit was, "Dammit he's going to get a game for that". He didn't leave his feet, but he clearly skated a fair distance with the intention of delivering a hit. The puck was gone and the principal contact was to the head. It doesn't matter how far bent over Zubrus was, it wouldn't have mattered if he was on his knees, you can't hit a players head with any part of your body. The NHL has done a bad job of remaining consistent on this. They should have suspended Weber and Malkin but they didn't. So they remain a target for their perceived bias.— KevinJ3
- I heard Cole Hamels is going to suit up Tuesday to teach the Devils about "old school" hockey...— LuvFlyers
- Zubrus tried to grab G just before G hit him and he missed which caused Zubrus shoulder to move out of the way causing G to hit his head. Can't believe Shanny doesn't see that— Flemer
- With all the flopping/diving the Flyers got away with in the first round Philly fans should still feel lucky. I can't believe that the writer of this article would say that the rules should change because his favorite team is on the brink of elimination. Just another reason that city has the absolute worst sports media in the country.— Dinfire
- Luv-The problem, as pointed out in the article, is that none of Shanahan's previous suspension criteria were adhered to in this ruling. No serious injury, Giroux did not leave his feet and he is not a repeat offender. Basically the reason Shanahan claims he did not suspend Shea Weber. Uneven punishments for similar frustration based plays. 2 minutes and a fine is what this should have been.— regassert6
- It was a dirty play and a cheap shot. He should be suspended a game. Its very simple.— pdog154
- The NHL made the right call on this, but they should have been consistent with these rules throughout the season. Starting to make the "right calls" halfway through the second round of the playoffs is way too late, and the NHL should be ashamed of the way they've handled hits to the head and hits on defenseless players this post-season.— mccarte1
- Since when does anything that happened earlier in the shift come into play? If he had run Brodeur, OK, maybe, but this was mostly just a case of Zubrus skating with his head down. And falling to the ground like he got shot. Given that the game was in Newark, that was actually a decent possibility...— Phantoms9805
- Here's to them losing so things can go back to normal and we don't have to hear about this fake "sport" anymore.— LDPhilly
- Definitely suspension worthy. He should not have done it. I just hope he learns his lesson. Don't take out frustration by doing something that might seriously injure another player.— immikefazz
- Shanahan just gave the Flyers a rallying call to inflict injury on NJ's best players. Not that I agree with it, but what do they have to lose now? By removing our best player, nothing but emotion will be flying in the game Tuesday night, and that could mean a lot of rough stuff. Way to go, Shanny, you dolt.— chutch15
- I enjoy watching, especially playoff hockey but it's still a bush league to some extent. I do not think what he did was worth a suspension at all. Inconsistent with other recent plays to say the least.— Ballgame
- Shanny is still trying to make up for his Weber fine.— flyers2thecup
- I would like to see the league get back to calling hooking/slashing/intereference as religiously as they had been a few years ago. If they did, I don't think this would have happened.— PhillyfaninChicago
- What Shea Weber did was 20x worse. Shanny will never hear the end of it.— potus
- Completely agree. I posted on another column that what Weber did belongs in the WWE, not the NHL. — uncle meat
- Sorry Rich, but you're wrong. No bigger Flyers fan than me, but the way G carried on earlier in the shift because of the non-call, Shanahan couldn't possibly call this accidental/unintentional contact with the head. As much as I hate admitting it, I though Shanny's video explanation was dead on, at least this time.— LuvFlyers
- Intentional contact to the head...? He's 5'11" hitting a guy 6'5". He never left his skates, didn't raise the elbow, and didn't hit from behind into the boards. So he got mad and hit someone. So what? Are you saying that the same hit wouldn't be a suspension worthy offence if he did the exact same thing but in a calm manner? That's silly.
- Comment removed.
- ...or ever punching a player in the b@lls from behind...minor detail. — uncle meat
- You guys talk about Sid whining! Sounds like Malkin envy. 1975!— paulp57
- Comment removed.
- Former official Kerry Fraser was mentioned in an article from Round One as saying the officiating in this year's playoffs was the worst he'd ever seen, with missed calls, wrong calls, etc.
— icarus - I agree 100%. Clearly the NHL has no rhyme or reason for their decisions. Neal makes two hits 45 seconds apart, both deliberate headshots, he gets one game. Weber is allowed to slam a guy's head into the glass, no penalty. The NHL is going to lose fans again and they will lose more ground than they gained. This league is rapidly becoming frustrating to watch--certain teams and players get special treatment while others get penalized for either their playstyle or their history. I hope this fires up the Flyers to go out and pound the Devils without mercy. Brodeur is awfully free with his stick--perhaps we should be a little looser with ours too.— ena1977
- Pathetic homerism, Rich. Why not say Zubrus should have been suspended because he almost hurt Giroux's shoulder with his head? Phlyer phans do not represent philly. Nor does Rich. Can't wait till this pathetic exhibition sport's season ends.— thingfish
- Why? So dog torturing, killing maiming Michael Vick can entertain you ? — pveedee
- If his name is Malkin, he plays tomorrow night.— ACBaughman
- I love G an the Flyers, but he deserved this suspension. If this were Giroux on the receiving end of the hit, I imagine you'd be calling for a suspension.
— stonelamb - Or Ovechkin... I guess the reality of it all is some are more equal than others... His hit on Girardi in Sat's game was way worse and it wasn't even reviewed. As usual, he took 2 or 3 strides, launched himself and then hit the head with a high elbow.
— Stoudt - Maybe this is the the turnin point in the series? Its hard enough to come back from 3-1 and without their best player, but maybe this is the wakeup call for the other guys. This will be the true test of character. Flyers in 7!— Fabulous
- A test of character you say? If you ever worked for a Corporation, knew some dirty details from that work and to protect the public from that activity, had to spill the beans, you are a "WHISTLEBLOWER", and there are both Federal and State Statutes to protect you from retaliatory action. Well, I have been a not so mute witness to the Grand Larceny of the NHL, and even commented on all this YESTERDAY. As long as you wear our famous logo on your shirt, you are a TARGET of harassment from referees, watch non-call after non-call, and have to laugh at the PATHETIC logic of fans across the Country who keep sounding like drones with no personal knowledge, trotting out "BROAD STREET BULLIES" , even though the calendar says that was THIRTY-SEVEN years ago and counting. When I mentioned whistleblower, there is a MUZZLE over the mouths of all interested parties from Snider to Laviolette to Giroux, lest they suffer some huge fine. I say call out this DOUBLE STANDARD ONCE AND FOR ALL!! Enough! This is 2012, not 1975. The Flyers were, as usual, the most penalized team in the NHL this year. Threaten to start your own league. But remaining quiet is no longer an option, unless you want to be a doormat and stepped on as long as you have a hockey franchise sporting a "P". The Flyers were outplayed last night, but what toll does it take when you compare the PENALTIES called and not called? We only lost by one ( not counting the empty net goal ). Momentum is one thing, but calling penalty after marginal penalty, ruining TWO periods, is the referee deciding the game, not the players. Please someone call out the NHL, okay? Even Hoffman and the paper dance around what any real fan already knows.... this league still hasn't forgiven the Flyers for their two Cups. ENOUGH!!!! — PhillyboyinNYC
- Finally... A story Line for the series
GIROUX SUSPENDED ONE GAME WITH FLYERS EMINENT ELIMINATION
It took an outside influence to provide a shakeup... Get some fire in the belly fellas. Lavi, don't rest on your laurels and provide the team with energy. Bring in Zac and Harry. If Mesz can play it will be an added bonus. Use the home crowds energy and put a seed of doubt into NJ going into game 6.— Jiggs700 - It's tough for this team to respond when your defensemen are Frodo, Pippin and Bilbo Baggins.....But I suddenly like their chances for tomorrow night (not sure why )
- Rich, you wrote an article yesterday about how you wouldn't be surprised if he is suspended. Now less than 24 hours later, you think it's an outrage. Wow, way to earn that salary. — theeutmost
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