Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Shea Weber Receives 1-Game Suspension for Murdering Another NHL Player

Justice finally served on Predators' defenseman
Brendan Shanahan finally issued a suspension to Shea Weber this week
By Jeremy Strauss
Editor-In-Chief

NEW YORK -- The NHL's Chief Disciplinarian, Brendan Shanahan, has come under fire lately for failing to suspend Nashville Predators' Defenseman Shea Weber after Weber slammed Red Wings' forward Henrik Zetterberg's head multiple times into the glass surrounding the ice during a recent playoff game. 

However, after Weber murdered Detroit forward Pavel Datsyuk in Game 5 of the series, the league's Department of Player Safety wasn't about to falter again, and issued Weber a well-deserved one-game ban.  Weber will miss the opening match of his team's second round series against the Phoenix Coyotes.

"At 11:01 of the third period in a game between the Nashville Predators and the Detroit Red Wings, Nashville Defenseman Shea Weber took out a gun and shot Detroit forward Pavel Datsyuk in the head," Shanahan said in a video on the NHL Website. 

"This appeared to be an intent to injure and perhaps kill," he added.  "We've also taken into account that Datsyuk died as a result of the play.  The Department of Player Safety has elected to suspend Shea Weber for one game, without pay."

The 2012 NHL Playoffs have been described repeatedly as "out of control," with suspensions being issued in nearly every series.  Weber's one-game suspension is a direct result of the league's no tolerance policy toward murder during hockey games, as discussed at the last GM meetings.

Weber and his coach, Barry Trotz, each said they weren't surprised by the ruling, and would decide in the next day whether or not to appeal.

"It seems fair, at face value," said Weber.  "But it's the playoffs, and it gets heated out there.  Things are said, guys are jabbing at each other, shooting at each other.  It's very emotional."

"There's a chance we could appeal," added Trotz.  "If you watch the replay, I don't think Datsyuk is entirely blameless, as he elbows one of our guys just before."

When reached for comment, Red Wings coach Mike Babcock aggressively agreed with Shanahan's determination.

"To be honest with you, I think he could've gotten two, maybe even three games," said Babcock.  "We can't stand for this kind of stuff in the league.  We don't have players policing murder themselves, like in the old days."