Pronger won't be suspended for alleged stomp on Canucks' Kesler Wednesday night
2008-03-13 13:25:34
Chris Pronger of the Anaheim Ducks won't face disciplinary action from the NHL after allegedly stomping on the calf of Ryan Kesler in Wednesday night's game versus the Vancouver Canucks.
"He stomped on me," Kesler told reporters after the game. "He got me on the calf."
Kesler was one of two Canuck players racing into the Anaheim corner to chase after a loose puck early in the second period when he fell. Pronger then appeared to step on his leg. Kesler was not injured on the play.
It isn't the first time the former Norris and Hart Trophy winner has been looked at for discipline by the league. Pronger received two separate one game suspensions during last years playoffs for different incidents.
It also marks the second time this season that a player has stepped on an opponent while he was laying prone.
In December, former New York Islanders forward Chris Simon received a 30-game suspension for trying to step on Pittsburgh forward Jarkko Ruttu's foot.
KillerBlades (Posted 2008-03-14 10:55:11)
No suspension??? How stupid and a joke the NHL is. How can this be good for the league and hockey especially not too long ago the world saw what the blades on these skates could do to any part of your body, imagine had Pronger stepped on a part of Kesler's body that is not protected by paddings imagine how much blood and gore that 'stomp' would've caused imagine had he stomped on Kesler's throat we would then see a Zednic's like incident that's not an accident. I love watching the physical part of the NHL however I do not consider using your razor sharp blades to stomp on someone else as playing a physical game, and what if kids playing hockey sees this type of action tolerable and does a copy cat on some other kids, what type of message is the NHL trying to send when they dont punish Pronger and punish him hard. My 7 year old nephew once told me he doesnt like hockey because it's too violent he's right.
Matthew Roberts (Posted 2008-03-14 09:56:52)
Does everyone really have to start calling each other "idiots" and "morons" or suggesting that someone be shot?
I guess it makes for a more entertaining comment board :)
Facewash (Posted 2008-03-14 09:04:26)
Idiots!
kathy wood (Posted 2008-03-14 01:14:22)
Hey, Matt, I consider Pronger's failed attempt to injure Yzerman in a 2002 playoff game with a knee on knee a cheap shot on a star player. Pronger knew Yzerman had a fragile knee, so what better way to eliminate the Captain from the playoffs---- and maybe beyond. How sweet it was when Yzerman countered defensively with a great legal hip check and Pronger was, instead, sidelined. BUT, just because a player isn't a "star" doesn't mean Pronger is entitled to cheap shot them.
chris pfeifer (Posted 2008-03-13 23:17:42)
This is the most ridiculous made up story that I have ever seen. I was right there at the game and Kesler was grabbing prongers foot, and so he kicked it away. It was without malicious intent and I can't believe this falsity is even a story. The league thought the same thing also and so fans need to stop letting their hatred for the ducks, impair there decisions.
Mitch (Posted 2008-03-13 23:05:44)
There is a difference between good gritty hockey and cheap play. Even good players have lapses of judgement in the heat of play. That being said, continued lapes of judgement should be dealt with. Dirty play by Pronger isn't a one time affair. Think of the elbow to Mccamounds head in the finals, or the frustration hit to Holmstrom when the Ducks were down and out of a 0-4 game. Pronger is 6'6" and has everything he needs to play a gritty physical game without the cheap action. How about a little consideration for the other players who's careers are in danger because Pronger can't keep his goon mentality in check.
matt (Posted 2008-03-13 19:52:59)
Dear Derek,
You are complete moron. The Ducks are the most physical team in the league, while also being the most penalized. If you actually watched a Ducks game you would see that. If you think that the Ducks stand out from the rest of the league with intent to injure, you should be shot. "The consistency with which players elbows and sticks end up on opposing player's heads?" Like i said, moron.
I would buy your argument if the Ducks played in Canada or the East Coast where hockey matters more to the majority of people. How does the league benefit AT ALL by "fixing" Ducks games? Its funny when people like you call the Ducks dirty when every team in the league is adding goon type enforcers (part of the game) to their team. Look at the Wild, Chicago, Philly.
I agree with everyone that the NHL has major problems, but it does not start with the Ducks.
BTW, all of Prong's "cheap shots" have not been on any "star players". He's a physical and mean player who sometimes crosses the line. The "stomp heard round the world" is a joke.
Walterburrows (Posted 2008-03-13 18:31:04)
You all act like he jumped on his neck and his heads cut off!He wasn't even hurt.It's good that Gordie Howe doesn't play today or he'd be out forever!If someone cross checked him from behind, you know what he'd do? Swing his stick up over his head and connect right between the perpetrators shoulder blades!Boo hoo! Pronger didn't get suspended. You know why?Cause the NHL is a just a fair league.The best run sport in the game.Kudos to you Colin Campbell!
Faceplant (Posted 2008-03-13 17:10:40)
Walter Burrows, you obviously don't know anything about hockey. I don't think any real hockey fan wants to see anything less than a hard fought game. A big tough Canadian style game is great, and Pronger plays a tough game, no problem. All people are saying is that if any player crosses the line it needs to be dealt with. The stomp is pretty obvious, and the league didn't deal with it. Very simple.
Just because Kesler got up and skated away, doesn't make it any less of an issue.
I guess, by your logic, we should be waiting for someone to pull a Bertuzzi on Pronger (note - fingers crossed)
fp
Cong L. (Posted 2008-03-13 16:51:53)
It's a double standards. There are two very good reasons for the non-suspension:
1. The league doesn't want Brian Burke sticking his fingers up their rear end.
2. It's a former Norris Trophy and Hart Trophy winner we're talking about here, not *ahem* Chris Simon.
I don't care what kind of lawyers you are. The fact is the video clearly showed the stomping. He was no where off balance or whatever lame excuses he may have given the league. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7kRKus2FRQ
I guess it's just another case of "I can't defy the law of physics" for Chris Pronger.
Eric Gomez (Posted 2008-03-13 16:46:53)
If the league will not suspend him they are basically putting a target on his back. If he pulls one of these in the playoffs it's very easy to have an expendable player dress just to break a stick over his head. Nasty play. No excuse for it and no excuse for the lack of response from the league. Clearly an intent to injure the down player.
Mark R. (Posted 2008-03-13 16:36:12)
I'm willing to bet Walter Burrows also defended Bertuzzi's attack on Steve Moore.
If Pronger isn't suspended for this, I don't know what to do. It's ridiculous the way the league's making double-standards for itself.
Greg S. (Posted 2008-03-13 16:28:56)
How many times does Pronger get being a goon before he gets a REAL sanction? Does he have to cripple someone first? What does he have over the NHL?
I don't mind hard hits and fighting at all. But it has to be clean. That was an intentional action and should have a 30 game (precident) and anger management requirements (also precident).
Derek Potts (Posted 2008-03-13 16:17:07)
This is precisely why the Anaheim Goons will win another cup. If the league continues to act too scared/infatuated with this particular team, then start etching names. The Ducks continue to play with intent to harm. They know that a 1 game suspension, even in the playoffs, is worth it when a talented opposing player can be eliminated for the season/playoffs.
Step up NHL. Watch the consistent Anaheim sticks and elbows that end up on opposing players heads. Do we really want "Slapshot"?
danf (Posted 2008-03-13 16:14:00)
I guess the league saw it as unintentional, but after watching Pronger play the Canucks a couple of times this season, I find "unintentional" hard to believe. Wake up NHL, Pronger needs discipline badly before he seriously, seriously hurts someone.
Jay R (Posted 2008-03-13 15:30:20)
No suspension Campbell???? Pronger must have pictures of you with sheep!! Preferential treatment must stop!
Buzz Wasmuth (Posted 2008-03-13 15:16:52)
Walter Burrows you are an idiot. Just because Kesler didn't get cut, Pronger shouldn't be suspended? That's like letting a speeding driver off the hook after he totals his car but walks away unharmed. You can't step on people with your skate you dummy. Chris Pronger is a joke. He has a reputation as being one of the dirtiest players in the game for a reason. I don't know what it's going to take for him to finally get a lenghthy suspension, but I can guarantee whatever it is, Pronger will do it. Yes, he's that stupid/dirty. Cross checking players from behind after they score, stepping on people with skates on, elbowing people in the head, stick work like you wouldn't believe... No respect for other players. No respect for hockey.
Evan (Posted 2008-03-13 15:15:00)
Burrows son you don't know what you're talking about. Since when was stepping on a guys leg part of the intimidation part of the game? I know you want to look big and tough over the internent but give me a break, this was not a hockey play and anyone who has played the game knows that.
Mikey (Posted 2008-03-13 15:12:31)
Can anybody honestly think that if a player isn't hurt there shouldn't be consequences for illegal actions? (I'm talking to you, Mr. Burrows.) The NHL must suspend Pronger for 30 games, as it did with Simon, or it will be faced yet again with accusations of different standards for different levels of players.
Alice (Posted 2008-03-13 15:06:56)
Having actually SEEN the play in real time and slo-mo, Pronger was clearly trying to get untangled from a fallen player. This is a non-event and if not for his reputation no one would be talking about it all. P.S. Update - the league has made it's decision - no discipline.
Evan Mielitz (Posted 2008-03-13 14:50:17)
I agree to what everyone is saying. Because he is such a star player in the NHL, they dont want to hand out a big suspension. I think that they should hand him a bigger suspension so that he does not do it again. If they give him another puny 3-4 game suspension, he will not change. You need a bigger one to ensure that he wont intentionally injure someone again
Graham Smith (Posted 2008-03-13 14:27:24)
Walter Burrows, it is fine to play a big, mean game like Pronger does. But it is a different thing when you are out there trying to injure guys like Pronger constantly does. There is a reason the guy has 10 suspensions in his career. But there is also a reason that he has never had more than a 3 game suspension...because he is a star player. And star players in the NHL get preferential treatment when it comes to suspensions.
But I guess the fact that we dont want to see players get hurt because of intentionally dirty play makes us whimps. Get a clue you moron, this stuff has no place in sports. Not in Hockey, not in football. No where. Have you ever played hockey? Have you seen how sharp skates are? Did you see what a skate did to Richard Zednik's neck? If you did you would realize there is nothing dirtier than stomping on a guy, in my book.
arbiter (Posted 2008-03-13 14:13:21)
pronger is a damn goon, last year in playoff's he elbowed diff ppl in the head and just got a slap on the wrist and a pussy 1 game suspension per offence. the nhl needs to get off their ass on do somethin or he will just keep on doin it.
Walter Burrows (Posted 2008-03-13 14:11:26)
Give me a break! What a bunch of bleeding hearts! Kesler wasn't even hurt on the play. Pronger is a big man and plays a mean game.Intimidation has been and always will be a part of sports. I can hear the whining chants again,"WA WA! It's not fair! He's bigger than the rest of us!"Please go back to watching tennis or golf or better yet, bowling!
James Palmer (Posted 2008-03-13 13:48:55)
WAKE UP NHL! This guy doesn't even feel the piddly little suspensions you've been giving him. Give him a wake up call and suspend him for a period of time that actually matters! He's a repeat offender and if he wasn't a superstar it would have happened already!
Jay R (Posted 2008-03-13 13:47:18)
Pronger gets away with murder.If he wasn't such a high profile player he would have got 10 games for the elbow on McCammond.He uses his stick more than anyone else and now he's trying to add stomping to his resume.Wake up Colin Campbell!!
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