• Print

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.

COMMENTS (25)

Sort: Oldest | Newest    Filter: All | Videos


Facewash Posted
(2009-04-30 06:05:20)



Idiots!
    0



Matthew Roberts Posted
(2009-04-30 06:05:20)



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 :)
    0



KillerBlades Posted
(2009-04-30 06:05:20)



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.
    0



kathy wood Posted
(2009-04-30 06:05:18)



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.
    0



chris pfeifer Posted
(2009-04-30 06:05:17)



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.
    0



matt Posted
(2009-04-30 06:05:16)



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.
    0



Mitch Posted
(2009-04-30 06:05:16)



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.
    0



Faceplant Posted
(2009-04-30 06:05:14)



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
    0



Walterburrows Posted
(2009-04-30 06:05:14)



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!
    0



Cong L. Posted
(2009-04-30 06:05:13)



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.
    0



1 2 3

ADD YOUR COMMENT

Register or Login to submit a comment
Player/Injury News - Up to the Minute NHL Updates This Week - Subscribe Now

THN Puck Poll

View all

Who should start in goal for Russia at the Olympics?





THN Newsletter - Sign Up Now

SAY WHAT?!?

View all

“I was coming in to take the boards away and had some good jump. He bobbled the puck at the last second and I don’t think he saw me coming at all. It was a shoulder right in his chest. He’s eight feet tall, so it’s not like you could hit him in the head.”

- Ottawa's Chris Neil about a hit he threw on Tampa's Victor Hedman Thursday night, causing Hedman to leave the game.

Our Partners