Ian Cole Suspended 3 Games

by Amerinadian on Jan 1, 2012 10:09 PM CST in News

Ian Cole of the St Louis Blues has been suspended 3 games for his hit on Justin Abdelkader. The hit occurred last night in the first period of Detroit's 3-0 win over the Blues, and marks the second time that a Blue has been suspended following a hit on a Red Wing.

Here's the video from Shanahan explaining the reasoning for the suspension:

I'll admit I was a little surprised at the length of the suspension, although he definitely deserved to sit a game since it was a direct hit to the head. Hell, I was shocked that he didn't get 5 and a game since it was pretty obvious at the time. Cole has no history of any supplemental discipline, and thankfully Abdelkader was ok, but this is exactly the type of hit the NHL is trying to get out of the game.

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Honestly shocked about the length (that's what she said)

If they had upheld the standard set when Brendan Smith got five games for a hit similar in severity (except for injury) on Ben Smith in preseason, I’d say this was right in line, but I was expecting 1 or 2 for a hit that was incredibly close to a great hit and seemed more unfortunately dangerous than outright dirty.

by J.J. from Kansas on Jan 1, 2012 10:40 PM CST reply actions

Spot on...

This was a suspension reflective of the offense. For the most part (90%), Shanny has been spot on.

Getting the head shot out of the game is difficult and this is indeed an example of an unintentional head shot but never the less, a reckless check with injurious potential. The front office HAD to slam Ian Cole to advance the cause of removing these center ice blind head shots.

by Number9Loyalist on Jan 1, 2012 11:33 PM CST reply actions

Why do they video tape the explanation ?

I never did get that … with hockey being such an in-house sport when it come to EVERYTHING you would think the suspensions would be sent in a letter or email to the player like all the other sports. I guess they are trying to do it for….the fans? IDK.

by THR1LLHOUSE on Jan 2, 2012 1:53 AM CST reply actions

to build transparency

when the last head of discipline’s decisions seem handed out at random, telling and showing why a suspension was given seems like a step in the right direction

"I'm a simple man. I like pretty, dark-haired women and breakfast food" - Ron Swanson

by rock n rye on Jan 2, 2012 9:34 AM CST up reply actions

Shanahan has also said

He wants the videos to be usable as a teaching tool, so coaches could refer to them with their players at any level, not just the NHL, and it would improve awareness of not hitting the head at all levels of hockey.

Random nonsense at @Baroque97

"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time." --Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)

by Baroque on Jan 2, 2012 9:56 AM CST up reply actions