probably everyone was aware of this but just in case...
(Ticker) - Anaheim Ducks defenseman Chris Pronger had a forgettable performance in Game Three of the Stanley Cup Finals. He will have to wait a while to redeem himself.
Pronger on Sunday was suspended one game by the NHL for his hit on Dean McAmmond in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Ottawa Senators, putting him on the sidelines for Game Four on Monday.
Anaheim holds a two-games-to-one lead in the series.
At 2:01 of the third period, McAmmond was skating down the right side in the Ducks' zone when Pronger raised his left arm, landing a blow to the veteran right wing's head with his elbow and forearm. After crumpling to the ice and sliding into the corner, McAmmond lay motionless for short period before being helped off the ice and to the locker room, where he remained for the rest of the game.
"I think it should have been a suspension because it was a blow to the head," McAmmond said Sunday. "It wasn't incidental. It's not like that couldn't have been avoided."
No penalty was assessed on the play.
"A variety of factors were considered in reaching this decision," NHL senior executive vice president Colin Campbell said. "Mr. Pronger used his forearm to deliver a forceful hit to the head of his opponent. Also, his actions caused injury to his opponent."
It is the second suspension of this sort in this year's playoffs issued to Pronger, who was forced to sit out Game Four of the Western Conference finals against the Detroit Red Wings for a blow to the head of Tomas Holmstrom. The Ducks overcame the loss, however, as replacement Ric Jackman contributed a power-play goal en route to a 5-3 triumph.
"I think the history of Chris Pronger comes into play a little bit," Senators coach Bryan Murray said. "There was a very obvious elbow to the head. And we've adamantly gone after the fact that hits to the head cause damage and should be penalized severely. And in this case, (the NHL) did it."
"It's no doubt that he did this on purpose," Ottawa general manager John Muckler added. "Unfortunately, we have a player that is injured and has a concussion, and it's doubtful whether he'll be able to play on Monday. Hopefully he will."
McAmmond, who scored what proved to be the game-winning goal late in the second period, apparently was feeling better after the contest, but his status for Game Four is in question. He did not participate in Sunday's practice.
"I'm feeling pretty much the same as I was yesterday - a little bit 'headachy', not feeling quite right," McAmmond said. "I'm going to do everything I can, or as little as a I can, to feel good tomorrow. I want to play, but at this point in time, I'm not sure right now."
"McAmmond doesn't look promising," Murray said. "We'll just have to see how he recovers. ... We'll just have to wait and see until almost game time if there's a chance at all."
A finalist for the Norris Trophy this year, Pronger has recorded three goals and 11 assists in 18 games this postseason. The 6-6, 220-pounder also has collected 26 penalty minutes and a plus-9 rating.
(Ticker) - Anaheim Ducks defenseman Chris Pronger had a forgettable performance in Game Three of the Stanley Cup Finals. He will have to wait a while to redeem himself.
Pronger on Sunday was suspended one game by the NHL for his hit on Dean McAmmond in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Ottawa Senators, putting him on the sidelines for Game Four on Monday.
Anaheim holds a two-games-to-one lead in the series.
At 2:01 of the third period, McAmmond was skating down the right side in the Ducks' zone when Pronger raised his left arm, landing a blow to the veteran right wing's head with his elbow and forearm. After crumpling to the ice and sliding into the corner, McAmmond lay motionless for short period before being helped off the ice and to the locker room, where he remained for the rest of the game.
"I think it should have been a suspension because it was a blow to the head," McAmmond said Sunday. "It wasn't incidental. It's not like that couldn't have been avoided."
No penalty was assessed on the play.
"A variety of factors were considered in reaching this decision," NHL senior executive vice president Colin Campbell said. "Mr. Pronger used his forearm to deliver a forceful hit to the head of his opponent. Also, his actions caused injury to his opponent."
It is the second suspension of this sort in this year's playoffs issued to Pronger, who was forced to sit out Game Four of the Western Conference finals against the Detroit Red Wings for a blow to the head of Tomas Holmstrom. The Ducks overcame the loss, however, as replacement Ric Jackman contributed a power-play goal en route to a 5-3 triumph.
"I think the history of Chris Pronger comes into play a little bit," Senators coach Bryan Murray said. "There was a very obvious elbow to the head. And we've adamantly gone after the fact that hits to the head cause damage and should be penalized severely. And in this case, (the NHL) did it."
"It's no doubt that he did this on purpose," Ottawa general manager John Muckler added. "Unfortunately, we have a player that is injured and has a concussion, and it's doubtful whether he'll be able to play on Monday. Hopefully he will."
McAmmond, who scored what proved to be the game-winning goal late in the second period, apparently was feeling better after the contest, but his status for Game Four is in question. He did not participate in Sunday's practice.
"I'm feeling pretty much the same as I was yesterday - a little bit 'headachy', not feeling quite right," McAmmond said. "I'm going to do everything I can, or as little as a I can, to feel good tomorrow. I want to play, but at this point in time, I'm not sure right now."
"McAmmond doesn't look promising," Murray said. "We'll just have to see how he recovers. ... We'll just have to wait and see until almost game time if there's a chance at all."
A finalist for the Norris Trophy this year, Pronger has recorded three goals and 11 assists in 18 games this postseason. The 6-6, 220-pounder also has collected 26 penalty minutes and a plus-9 rating.
