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Chris Pronger is certainly a goon who cheapens the NHL. He is a chronic offender, and the league should seriously consider suspending him for the remainder of the Stanley Cup final series and possibly the entire next season. Hefty fines should also be levied against Pronger and the Ducks. Strong actions like these might just send a message to teams saying that this garbage play won't be tolerated. I realize Pronger isn't the only a**hole in the leaugue, and something needs to be done at the administrative level to remove these types of players from the NHL. Ice hockey is a beautiful sport, but goons like Pronger make it cheap and ugly.

Pronger obviously didn't learn anything from the game suspension in the Detroit series as he was back at it again tonight. This time with a cruel forearm/elbow to the head of the Sen's player.
What troubles me is that there's nothing to be done as no one can take a run at Pronger without being fined heavily by the league.
It's too bad he plays like a thug as his skills are amazing.

I think 90% of hitting are really interference penalties.
Rule is you can not hit if player does not
have a puck.

i'm calling on all the children who go to school with prongers kids to pretend to give that hit from behind when he drops them off at school ... of course i'm joking .. but seriously .. what is he doing to the sport of hockey with these sort of hits from behind ... he's a coward !

Wow, you Detroit fans are amazing how you only see one side. I absolutely agree that Pronger is dirty and deserved at least one-game but for you to think your players are not dirty is a joke. They're just a little slicker at the way they get in their shots. Oh boo hoo, Lebda got sucker punched. I guess you missed what he did to Langkow first. And Holmstrom doesn't hit goalies?! You might want to check out the bruises on Kiprusoff, Nabokov, and Giguere. Come on Detroit fans, you have a great team who deserves to be where they are and Anaheim is just as dirty, if not dirtier, than the next team, but take your blinders off and see that your boys aren't a bunch of angels either. GO SENS GO!!!

Play off hockey is rough, what do u expect. I dont think Chris Pronger should of even had a suspension. Maybe a little fine. But a suspension wasnt necessary... I mean its play off hockey... I dont understand why everyone is making Chris out to be the bad guy when he is simply just playing the game.
GO DUCKS!

Pronger is a goon, he always has been! Trying to take out a player because you're upset that your team is losing is no excuse! One game or whatever, what they should have done is fined him,but that's just where I think whould have hurt him the most! Anyhow,it is what it is.

No doubt Pronger is a great player. However, I think he gets a free ride from time to time becauase he is so good and so central to any team's defence for whom he plays. Do we have to wait for another Bertuzzi incident before we cluck seriously and hit that perpetrator hard? A two game suspension for Proger would be OK. One game suspension is a wrist slap. How about the remainder of this series? The big guy might smarten up then.

It is surprising that such a normally intelligent player would do such a dumb thing. However, in the real world, a defence of "It was a mistake," or "I didn't mean to…" I wonder if Chris and his spouse accept such a defence from their children? This big fellow is no child, although it is apparent that, from time to time, he acts like one!

Hockey is a fun game that was a bad hit but there have been much worse, I don't think that it should result in more than a 1 game suspention.

One game is bettern than nothing but 3 games would have been more appropriate.

I've definitely noticed some biased comments coming from Michigan... I guess that's to be expected.
Pronger deserved his one game suspension. The playoffs is a best-of-7 series. If you use that as a ratio versus the length of the regular season you'll see that it is quite a severe punishment.
I feel that players need to be hit where it hurts them the most: their wallet. Bring on HUGE fines for intents to injure and you'll see the hits come down. Double McLennan's fine to $250,000 and he'll notice a bit more. Randy C, I don't think Pronger should be shot (you're living up to the rep that the world has of Americans). I'm not a fan but I think you may be over-reacting. Fine him $500,000 I bet he'll never do it again.

The problem is with the league. I have seen many hits from behind in this playoff year and the player was not punnished.Because a player walks away, seems to lessen the offence. The NHL is playing with fire and will be burnt. The only solution is money! Take a players salary from him and you get his attention. The league is also looking after the owners by not suspending Pronger longer for fear the money they loose if they are outted from the playoffs. Hitting from behind,stick infractions and blows to the head should all be game misconducts and big fines.

PS I like tuff hockey but if you do these things you have to pay up both in the wallet and ice time.

I just finished reading the comments by Burke on the Ducks website...I don't understand how someone can make such an oversite...saying it wasn't a headshot, that Holmstrom's helmet wasn't on properly.

Firstly, Pronger is a defenceman, he shouldn't typically be finishing a check and taking hit on a player past the hash-marks in his own end...with both elbows behind Homer's head no less, all that does is take him out of a live play...I know he's smarter than that.
I understand protecting your player is your perrogative...but what about the logical explanation...

Pronger simply lost his temper...chased a player that had been the cause of a lot of frustration, and tried to put him out of the game...

if you look at any replay of Homer's helmet, it's as tight as it goes...the TSN guys said it too, that the Ducks would blame the seriousness of the incident on the player who didn't have his helmet on tight enough...and seemingly, they were right...

"A 1 game suspension does not deter players, it encourages them."
I agree that what Pronger did was vicious and deserved punishment, but trying to say that a 1 game suspension will only encourage him and others to attempt to take out an "elite" player is a joke. This is the Western Conference finals, not the regular season. The Ducks are trailing 2-1 in the series and a one game suspension to one of their best defenders (keeping him off the ice during what could be their last home game) is absolutely sending a message that dirty hits won't be tolerated.

Holmstrom got a booby . He's OK . The hit
was worse because of Holmstrom getting
sandwiched between the two Ducks. I think
with safer boards and better helmets ( at
least secured properly) the incident would
have been less severe . I agree that the
league still has an issue in regards to
consistency in various suspensions. I don't
have a lot compassion when the ice pests
get some payback.

Why is Don Cherry always right? This is what you get when you outlaw fighting. Would this have happened in the days of Bob P and Joey K? maybe, BUT ONLY ONCE!

The NHL used to be "self-policing." A hit like Pronger's would've resulted in a fight, followed by hard-nosed hockey. No suspensions necessary.

Today, any hard hit is looked upon with suspicion - and possible suspension. Go to the defense of a teammate and you get an "instigator" penalty.

Guess that's what happens when you hire a commissioner with ties to the NBA. Bettman is trying to turn hockey into Ice Dancing and, unfortunately, he is succeeding.

I use to have a bit of respect for Pronger. Quite clearly, he is one of the best in his craft. I was surprised to see him level a cheap shot and equally more surprised to see him only get one game. Which ever angle you look the hit, it is evident that he was going for the head. It is too bad they couldn't take out Holstrom in another way (tighter checking perhaps, shadow the guy, maybe?). No, they had to resort to thug-like idiocy to take him out. Shame on Pronger, that cheap shot negates every ounce of respect I had for him as hockey player.

Only 1 game? I'm another disappointed fan. This was an assault i.e intent to injure, no respect for another player/human being, vicious. Pronger has no character, no class. And I feel this is what differentiates Lidstom from Pronger as Norris trophy winners and candidates.

With regards to your opening line "We are not entirely sure how much money Colin Campbell makes as the NHL's minister of justice, but on days like these we are entirely certain it is not enough"
Let me know I will gladly accept half of what Colin Campbell makes to do the same job. Oh such a hard job should I suspend a guy for one game.

I watched the game with my children. A very disgusting hit. Actions speak louder than words... Pronger should get the maximum penalty. The NHL should show the children that were watching the game that this is totally unacceptable. It's time we get serious about these dirty hits.

It's playoff hockey, anyone who enters the playoffs and doesn't expect to get hit hard by team's number one defencemen, is slightly out of touch with what playoffs are all about. It's tough hockey, plain and simple. Suck it up, or go home. The referee dealt with the issue on ice, and penalized Neidermayer accordingly. This "garbage" that you all want out of the game, can't be done so easily. Hockey is the fastest sport there is, with the hardest hits. Injuries will happen, it's part of the game. Any real hockey player or fan knows that. And, everyone is complaining about the inconsistent duration or distribution of suspensions, which of course is true. You don't have to do much research to realise that the NHL is all over the place. However, the star players have been getting off "easy" all season right? Is it fair to suddenly change this pattern, and set an example with the Anaheim Duck's star player midway into the conference finals?

Wino's and cry baby's are going to ruin Canada's game. Go play ringette if you can't handle it.

Pronger should have been suspended. In the replay it's obvious it was intentional. It's also obvious Holmstrom's helmet fell off earlier in the game so the way the media and also Morrison makes the story sound more dramatic by saying the shear impact blew it right off of his head,really ticks me off. Report the news, don't create it.
The reality is, the hit was dramatic enough. We don't need the media juicing up the story. The only benefit to this kind of story selling goes to the anti checking and fighting crowd. Keep it up and you'll be reporting on the dramatics in figurskating.

A one game suspension is a joke. The NHL must practice what they preach. There is no room for what Pronger did in this great game of hockey. Luckily, Homer is okay, but what if Pronger had done that to Pavel Datsyuk or Sindey Crosby? Would Pronger have only gotten 1 game?? Its players like Datsyuk who make hockey exciting to watch, a hit like that could have ended his playoff run or maybe even his career. A 1 game suspension does not deter players, it encourages them. Why not take out an elite player? I'll only get one game suspension... It's very disheartening to this fan of hockey.

"dont bet this action wasnt inspired by Brian burke, harken back to the Bertuzzi incident in Vancouver, burke is a pail of poison that needs to be eradicated from the NHL & all hockey"

mis guided hockey followers should reframe from insulting comments as such, go back to cdc u winer

There is no doubt that the worst hit in the history of sports and the world was the Bertuzzi hit. The Pronger hit pales in comparison. Bertuzzi should be forced to wear a striped suit on the ice and play in handcuffs. He is also the most arrogant player I ever heard talk. That's all I have to say about that!

Well looks like you got what you wanted. Pronger got suspended. Happy now?

I honestly believe that a player will have to be accidentally killed before the NHL wakes up and starts dishing out severe fines and/or suspensions before the cheap shots come to an end.

They BOTH should be suspended. Most anyone who has played this game and saw what happened last night knows that both Niedemayer and Pronger had to have known what they were about to do and did not pull back. Instead they chose to go for the head. This is exactly what Babcock meant last night in his comments. This was a choice and a very bad and vicious choice with intent to injure. We have all seen Pronger lose it and he did it again last night. Just lucky that Holmstrom was OK. If he wasn't, we'd all be talking about something very bad indeed for the game...

I am sort of surprised that they even gave him one game. Anyone else remember when Pronger was hit in the chest with the puck and it stopped his heart? I can guarantee you that the fans at Joe Louis weren't cheering and the player that did it (which I think was Lindstrom) wasn't smiling afterwards. That's the difference in between Class and ignorance. I could not believe the idiots at the Honda center, but I don't know why I was so surprised, especially since the Mighty ducks (You can change the name, but you can't change history --- Your based off of a kids movie) have fans like Dan B. Anyway, this post is way longer than it should have been. Much like I stated about the cheap shots during the Calgary series; Courage, Class and honor are all missing from this league now-a-days. You really have to look at the old timer teams to see what integrity on the ice is all about. -- just my two cents.

Regards--
Disappointed Hockey Fan.

NHL is a joke. One game for a cheap shot. I mean why do we keep those players who do that. I know it's the playoffs but a intention of injury is a intention of injury. If I do a punch in the back in the streets, I'll bet that I would have more than a game suspension.

Pronger is very lucky he only received one game. He should be out the rest of this series. If this was the regular season, he would have received four games at least. Its playoffs and the NHL doesnt want to upset Disneyland.

Oh ya posters trying to compare Alfredssons hit on Tallinder - get a grip it wasnt even close to that.

The attack on Thomas Holmstrom was an intended for injury. Their is no difference between hit on Kris Draper back in 96, Lemieux meant to hurt. It sure would be nice to some goon clean Pronger's clock he deserves it. I think he should suspended for at least 2 games.

So, Pronger gets a one-game suspension for his vindictive attempt to injure. All of which shows you once again that the NHL always puts the interests of a franchise operating in an ignorant and hard-sell southern U.S. market ahead of player safety, and ahead of the integrity of the game. If Pronger had done this when he was still an Oiler in the playoffs, he would have received three.

Dan in Calgary

The ducks are a good skill team but they appear to have goons in leadership roles. The mark of poor sportsmanship has been overwhelming this post season. All the at hubbub in Calgary, Mr. may and his ridiculous behavior, and now we have Mr. pronger. He has been a cheap player for his entire career, which is why no respectable team will take him, he is a liability, if the league does nothing we as fans should not allow it to go away, I suggest an e-mail campaign through the summer, I'm not a fan of whistle happy hockey, and I'm no mathematician but this adds up to me. Pronger put his elbow at an angle to a player, who was not facing him, there is no way this can be seen as a defensive action, he left his feet, he then appeared quite pleased after the fact as he plainly appeared to think he had taken out Tomas. This situation is not what anyone wants to see in hockey, and this type of behavior needs to be dealt with an a quick fashion to show that the NHL will punish this behavior in a way that makes even a tremendous idiot like pronger fear the wrath of the consequences. Also it should be fined on a scale that is a percentage of the total take that a player makes in a year including bonuses. And finally. may that moron’s name never devalue the Stanley cup.

Pronger suspended for game 4, to be announced at 5 EST...

As a Ducks fan I agree Pronger should get a game suspension. But only if the Redwing that cross checked McDonald to the head when he was already prone on the ice gets a game also. Intent to injure? Fair is fair. Robby N. did nothing wrong- it was ugly but it was a clean hit, not from behind!
Save your whining for the finals!

Suspension, definetely,rest of this series, that was a deliberate intent toinjure because he could not contain Holstrom, but dont bet this action wasnt inspired by Brian burke, harken back to the Bertuzzi incident in Vancouver, burke is a pail of poison that needs to be eradicated from the NHL & all hockey, as a addenum, I would bet money this was a tag team efforty on Neidemayer & Prongers part, it was a cold hearted, deliberate attack. I've always been a Pronger admirer, not any more, he is a sick puppy

A disgusting display of Pronger's lack of sportsmanship. No matter what is happening in the game, a deliberate attempt to injure another player cannot be condoned. There's no doubt that Pronger should be punished. Hitting from behind and intentional stick work are the worst of the worst in the NHL.

i appreciate your post. however, alfredson's "predatory" hit to tillander seems to have gone missing from all of the canadian radar screans. btw, what's happening with the discussions in the capital city regarding the income trusts.

signed - a destitute investor

There is no question that Pronger deserves a significant suspension. This was a shot to the head and cannot be seen as anything less than a deliberate attempt to injure. It could have easily ended Holmstrom's career. The fact that he was able to return in the third period should not stop the appropriate penalty being handed out. In fact kudos to the Red Wings for not trying to embellish the damage by keeping Holmstrom out of the third period when they clearly didn't need him.

If the NHL fails to suspend Pronger for st least the rest of the series, it will be condoning this type of brutality and do more damage to its already fragile credibiity--in stark contrast to the decisive action taken by the NBA in supending Stoudemire of the Suns, despite his importance to his team. The credibility of the league must take precedence over the interests and of one club or player.

I played hockey in college and if that Dan G ever wants to hit the ice with me I am more than ready to show him how a career can be ended by a cheap shot. His comments show a lack of class, he must be a Maple Leaf fan. (Do they still have fans?) Or a Dirty Ducks fan.

Pronger is a fruit, who doesn't have the grapes to hit anyone from the front. I miss the days when the Wings had Bob Probert, because last night would have been the end of Chris Pronger's life if he had pulled that crap when Detroit had an enforcer.

Speaking of Enforcers, if the NHL lets Pronger get away with this incident they are setting a dangerous precedent for the next few games because every "star" will know they can have a free run on an opponent.

The NHL needs to suspend its stars just like the NBA did this week. Playoffs or not. Or maybe they like being on the Versus network.

Do not ever compare Stevens and Pronger again. Stevens made a living by feasting on idiots coming across the ice with their head down. Pronger is just a goon who only throws a good body check when someone runs into him.

While watching the commentary on Verses during the NHL play-off's it was mentioned that Pronger is a great defenseman...that may be so.
However, I still recall a time in the 90's when he was with the St.Louis Blues when he tried to take Steve Yserman's legs out from him with a cheap nasty hit that backfired on him.
Toughness is a good thing, but when it comes down to taking a player out of the series, that's entirely a different matter. I watched the hit and it was most certainly intentionally and ther was malice behind it. The NHL needs to send him a message, one that he won't forget anytime soon.

David Rapelje
Branson, MO. USA

I would be amazed if Chris Pronger did not get at least a one-game suspension. Brian Burke may be best friends with Colin Campbell, but he can not just ignore his job. Back in the 80's players who played well would not have been savagely attacked. I am not sure how this game changed or why, but maybe the old-timers are right: The players have too much equipment so they feel more indestructible. Maybe we should go back to the helmetless days.

Proner is a lot like Stevens was in New Jersey. He is a good defenceman and a dirty defenceman, just like Stevens. Those hits that Stevens delivered to guys in "open ice" were shoulder to head if not elbow to head, Pronger is in the same league when it comes to that type of hit. Pronger should be suspended at least two games. It was intent to injure. Bertuzzi was unlucky (as was Moore and more so) that his opponent did not recover but his intent was the same as Pronger's.

Pronger is a goon, I remember the same kind of play in the old Detroit-Blues series. He deserves a suspension.

Chris Pronger should definatly be suspended for his hit on Holmstrom, it was definatly and attempt to injure. The NHL can not let this go , with out the a suspension. They nare trying to market the game as fast,tough and exciting. It is all of that and more, but what Pronger did is not. If the hehit had been made by Brad May , he very well may have been suspended for the remainder of the playoffs, just because Pronger is a star player he must be dealt with just like Brad May was and would have been. I admire Chris Pronger (even though I am an Oiler Fan) but what he did crossed the line , and this hit should be dealt with quickly and be a minimum of three games.

Did you here that the NHL will not give a team to Hamilton. They are worried that if Hamilton gets an NHL team, Toronto will want one too.

Pronger is a jerk. Two games is only enough if the Ducks lose the next two games!

The hit Holdstrom took was malicious. It was intended to either be an avenue of frustration for the Duck players or an attempt to put Thomas out the the game for the rest of the playoffs. I feared the injury as if it were my own son. That was very hard to watch.
I think the hit was criminal. Pronger should be pulled from the playoffs, taken out of the game all together if it hapens again.

We will soon see where the NHL is going by whether they suspend Pronger and Neidermeyer. The NHL has hit a new low this year with coverage basically only on a non-descript cable channel. It is rare to see it on a network channel. If the NHL wants to get back to popularity then it needs to clean up the game and keep it focused on skill playing not brutality.
The one thing I do not understand is why the owners put up with this kind of action. Why would you want a million $$ player to be injured and ruin your chances for victory?
I can understand why Pronger did what he did, when you have lost your skill and diginity as a person and a player, then you resort to this kind of play.

Just FYI, a buddy of mine played junior with Pronger, and he is very challenged in his manhood, if you know what i mean.

Pronger is a hack! He was a hack in Edmonton and a hack in Anaheim. He should be out 2 games and fined. Next time.... 10 games he has history of hits like this. Oh ya I'm from Edmonton well I don't like Detroit either.

Regardless of the close relations between Colin Campbell and Brian Burke, the NHL has got to deal with Pronger as harssely as the rules allow. This definitaly was an attempt to injure Holstrom and will be seen around the world as such. If the NHL are to maintain any element of respectability it must suspend Pronger for the season.
The double standard in the NHL has got to stop, this attack was perpetrated by a "superstar" / "supergoon" and the punishment should be set an example for all hockey (international included) that this type of crap will not be tolerated.

This was an extremely dirty hit and should be atleast a 5 game suspension.

The league suspended Havlat for tapping someone in the jock with his skate because the guy was pinning him against the back of the net. (I did agree with the suspension.) How can this be a lesser crime?
Pronger hit someone in a vulnerable position from behind with an elbow in an attempt to end his season.

Pronger has a long and dirty history of cheap shots. He blew out his knee while in St. Louis trying to decapitate Steve Yzerman several years ago. The NHL has set the precedent of stepping up and penalizing cheap play during the playoffs. They need to do so here.

The NHL is getting what they wanted, Us talking about it, a so called superstar is not going to get suspended, Did the NHL not say 1 playoff game is worth 5 regular season games? They would never suspend him for 5 reg season games for this hit. The NHL is dropping the ball again. thats to bad.

Was this so very different than the Bertuzzi punch? Not really, just the outcome was different. Pronger should be gone for the season, and longer, if there is any justice. I liked the Ducks, before this series, but I am no fan of them any more. There is a lot of difference between standing in front of a goalie, and trying to run player's. Pronger is a talented goon.

From what I saw, Pronger was trying to dig the butt of his stick into Holmstrom's neck, if he had succeeded he may well have broken it. I think he is one goon who should be banned from hockey, even back-yard games.

Was this so very different than the Bertuzzi punch? Not really, just the outcome was different. Pronger should be gone for the season, and longer, if there is any justice. I liked the Ducks, before this series, but I am no fan of them any more. There is a lot of difference between standing in front of a goalie, and trying to run player's. Pronger is a talented goon.

It is absolutely horrifying to hear someone say they wish they would have seen someone else get a slash or an injury. Being in the sport I know that there is a feeling from fans that we are celebrities and therefore invincible... but what do you say to the son or daughter of a hockey player or any player who was taken out in a malicious manner and probably wont be walking again... let alone playing... Forget that it is Holmstrom a very tough hockey player... all players are tough but they are people at work... these are human beings that are just doing what they do best... the worst part about having a star like Chris do this is that he is looked up to by so many, and they are getting the wrong message... to "Dan" who said Homlstrom got what was coming... what if it was you on the ice and you not as tough, didn't come back instead your head got twisted too far and now you can't walk... being in the crease is a part of hockey getting in your face, yelling, even fighting... part of the game... but we are people at work, no one should be allowed to injure... Seek help those who disagree...! Sincerely, A Concerned Centerman.

Was this so very different than the Bertuzzi punch? Not really, just the outcome was different. Pronger should be gone for the season, and longer, if there is any justice. I liked the Ducks, before this series, but I am no fan of them any more. There is a lot of difference between standing in front of a goalie, and trying to run player's. Pronger is a talented goon.

I think that Pronger has always been a DIRTY player, way over rated and a sook. He is the typical guy who as a child got everything he has ever wanted and was a spoiled brat. Someone who acts in this manner should have to back it up but he will not fight, he will just head hunt. He would of NEVER done that if Bob Probert was around. He would of been scared to death. To bad players like him are not called out and asked to prove themselves. Pronger should be handed a 5 games suspension and fined for his diliberate actions. He is a over paid GOON. great display of leadership skills. He would be a sure fit in for the leafs. As he has a bad attitude and is a dirty, arrogant player.

Pronger is too big a "name" in the NHL (he's up for the Norris don't ya know), and I'm sure the league doesn't have the coconuts to suspend him for his role in the hit against Homer.

Niedermayer, on the other hand, while he did come charging across the ice surface (appeared to be coming from the opposite circle), I believe he has served his punishment. He was given a Boarding Major and a Game Misconduct and was ejected from the remainder of the game. Unfortunately the Wings couldn't capitalize on the PP, but these things happen.

Pronger should be suspended, but probably won't. Disappointing? YES! Surprising? NO! Just leave it to "No Balls Bettman". This is the "NEW" NHL.

Go WINGS Go!

Pronger should be suspended for 2 games minimum. Niedermeier, 1 game and some money. Campbell may not do anything, remember the sucker punch to Lebda up in Calgary? If I've ever seen anything as blatant, I don't remember.

I think that Pronger has always been a DIRTY player, way over rated and a sook. He is the typical guy who as a child got everything he has ever wanted and was a spoiled brat. Someone who acts in this manner should have to back it up but he will not fight, he will just head hunt. He would of NEVER done that if Bob Probert was around. He would of been scared to death. To bad players like him are not called out and asked to prove themselves. Pronger should be handed a 5 games suspension and fined for his diliberate actions. He is a over paid GOON. great display of leadership skills. He would be a sure fit in for the leafs. As he has a bad attitude and is a dirty, arrogant player.

Dan G, you are an idiot. Homer doesn't do anything wrong to goalies. He has a right to park in front of the net, and is amazingly good at not getting in the crease. Goalies get frustrated at him because they can't see. He does NOT cheap shot anyone. Showing pleasure about someone getting hit from behind and injured BECAUSE HE SCORED 2 GOALS makes me sick...

Pronger is an excellent defenseman, but he plays a very physical game and he sometimes lapses into goonery. This is one of those times.

It was a danergous play and everyone is lucky it didn't turn out much worse. Pronger should get a game, maybe two, just to remind him that kind of stuff simply can't and won't be tolerated.

The legue better suspend him, Pronger sucks we almost took care of him a couple years ago with a slapshot to the chest stopping his heart. Soooo close! Almost did the world a favor taking that lowelife out of it.

They both better be suspended!!!!!!!!!

2 games min! He left his feet, had a head shot and caused injury. Campbell will only fine him since his buddy Burke will be taking him out to dinner tonight.

The Pronger incident was disgusting and a disgrace to the game itself . Whenever a player deliberately trys to injure another ,everyone even the Players Union should be concerned and be part of an appropriate plan of discipline . Pronger certainly showed his true colours (YELLOW) when he was brave enough to hit Holmstrom from behind ,with the aid and comfort of a fellow player .He's a real sorry excuse for a professional sport's player !!
Incidents such as this continue to plague the N.H.L. and keep the sport from flourishing across the continent .When your team gets behind do the old "Send a message " routine which is a polite way of saying try to injure somebody because we can't play well enough to beat them .
As long as the league turns the other way Hockey will remain a second class sport . Let's hope they do the right thing and suspend this goon for at least five games which is still way too lenient . I just hope Don Cherry doesn't back this type of foolish play .

Dan g your a moron. Holmstom hasn't hit one goal tender. If playing in front of the net to create a screen warrants what he got last night in your mind then your a complete idiot!!!!

I think any true fan of the game that saw that hit would agree that Pronger, HOF player that he his, needs to be suspended. The league's no tolerance post-lockout officiating has done a tremendous job ridding the game of the hooking, holding & interference that once slowed the game. Getting rid of the violent head hits and hits from behind should be just as high a priority, made all the more important by the increased speed at which the game is played now with the obstructions removed. Pronger has provided the league with an opportunity to do the right thing and send a message that violent head shots will not be tolerated. Given the stakes in the playoffs, a 2-gamer would do it. And for what its worth, I think Niedermayer has paid his dues for his role in the hit, which, while dangerous, appeared much less malicious than Pronger's.

It was just a mather of time before someone get's hurt...The ducks are hitting the wings like goons since the start of the series. This hit reminds me The Hanson Brothers from the Slapshot movie...Pronger should get a suspension , at least 2 games or more! If it would have been a player like Datsyuk instead of the tough Holmstrom between the board and the two head hitters there would have been a much more serious injury! So the league should make their move and start giving suspension to the player who dont think before hitting.

Pronger....great hockey player...plays with alot of emotion and intensity....that's what makes him great.In the"old" NHL he would have been able to slash,x-check or punch Holstrom and get away with it.His frustration level with the game (down 4 goals) and Holstrom got to the point where he lost it.The result was a vicious elbow to the back of the head....could of killed the guy....anybody else(in the regular season)would get at least 5 - 7 games....but since it is Pronger(an elite player) in the playoffs, he might get 1 game if any at all.
Collie Campbell...do the right thing...throw the book at him... make an example of Pronger ,even if he is an "elite"player. Does the name Maurice Richard ring a bell.

This is exactly why the NBA gets it, and the NHL doesn't. Suspensions in the PHX - SA series for 2 stars of the Suns, in a 2-2 series! The NHL wants to promote their star players and scoring, however, they are too afraid to do anything when it is most obvious! Pronger is a goon with size which apparently makes him a Norris candidate...please. Give me Nick Lidstrom any day of the week.

Let's Go Red Wings.

Pronger left his feet, his head was up, his elbow up and it was a deliberate act without question. The league will and should suspend him for no less than the next two games. Had Holmstrom not been a warrior that he is and had been hurt seriously, (which eludes me why he isn't), Pronger would get the rest of the season and some of next.........Lets see if the league plays favorites.

Pronger's a goon. The Ducks are goons. No place for that in the sport.

Pronger left his feet, his head was up, his elbow up and it was a deliberate act without question. The league will and should suspend him for no less than the next two games. Had Holmstrom not been a warrior that he is and had been hurt seriously, (which eludes me why he isn't), Pronger would get the rest of the season and some of next.........Lets see if the league plays favorites.

Wait Wait Wait..this is the same Homer that 5 minutes earlier in the game his helmut fell off because a ref touched it. Just like you get a penalty if your jersey is strapped on..so should the helmut. His helmut was loose 5 minutes earlier...I think he didnt tighten it before...

If anything Pronger should of got a 4 minute elbowing penalty with a major for intent to cause a injury. Neid should of had nothing happen to him

Thanks for your comments everyone,
I really think the NHL should suspend both players for at least 5 games. The NHL committees are preaching about a clean hockey, however you are playing double standard and favor other players. Give me a break...who cares even if its Chris 6”6’ the idiot who still has the same arrogance when he was in St. Luis.

Don't be so foolish to think that Pronger will be suspended. Don't forget that GM Burke held the same position as Campbell before him. The old buddy system works is the NHL. If this was a number 5 or 6 defensemen he would be suspended, but it is a star player.

We only need to look at the officiating in the first two games to see the bias against the wings

It's about time Holmstrom got it!!!... YES I SAID IT!!!... he's been having his way with goaltenders for the past two series (three including this one) without the slightest hint of a penalty... It's about damn time someone reminded him what he gets when he messes a team's goalie... and it's too bad he wasn't on the ice when mclennan slashed Franzen... Seeing holmstrom get that would've been better....

I remember a few years back, 2002 he went after Yzerman's bum knee, clearly with intent to remove him from the series. Yzerman ducked, and flipped Pronger over, sprawling. The guy tends to get punkish. It's happend too often. Suspend for 4 games.

Chin strap or not is irrelevent. (I s'pose you think if a woman wears too short of a skirt she is 'asking for it' too)
Pronger is a head hunting goon...
I hope the NHL sees people's reaction to this. I am a recent hockey fan (10 years), but between strikes, VS. coverage and this crap, I may be done.
Fights belong, cheap assaults do not. IF the NHL does not suspend Pronger, they are saying this crap is OK period.
SHould have been Neidermyer 5 minutes for Charging, Pronger 5 for Hit to the HEad or Intent to Injure, whatever they call it, Misconduct and out for the game with suspension to follow. We'll see...

Pronger is an over-rated hockey player and, frankly, not much of a man (just ask his wife - and ask Edmonton fans for that matter). I'm glad my Detroit Red Wings took the high road - and the NHL better damn well have the f**king sand to suspend this POS for at least 2 games.

BTW, Chris...if you ever come to KC watch out. This is a concealed-carry state and we all love the 2nd Amendment. And these streets can be tough - lots of things flying about at high speeds - much faster than a puck. But if you ever DO come around, you be sure and let me know ahead of time, M'kay?

Did anyone else notice that both Neidermayer and Pronger looked to leave their feet? Pronger is known to do these kind of hits and gotten away with it. That hit looked to finish Holmstroms season. Not this time.Just because he came back should not mean anything. I say this round is over for Neidermayer and 2+ games for pronger. He should also sleep with the fishes. And again I would not be surprised with nothing though that would send the wrong message, again the NHL loosing more respect...

All of Anaheim are disgusting animals (the fans, I mean too)...Pronger was quite proud of his attempt to end Holmstrom's playoffs. The cheap shot came from behind...Pronger went for Homer's head...AND, while Homer was half knocked out, Pronger was quite proud of himself while the entire audience cheered. If that is Anaheim, the best that can happen is an earthquake swallow the disgusting wretches.

Violent,ugly and vicious. And people wonder why the game is losing supporters? The fact there is so much discussion and uncertainty about 'if' the NHL will act speaks volumes in itself. If the NHL is truely seriously about cracking down on violence in hockey,it must send a clear and firm message. A one or two game suspension is not near enough for this type of behavior.

And maybe Chris from London should actually know his facts before posting a comment. TSN clearly showed during the intermission that Holmstroms chin strap was in fact tight and it was the impact of the hit that sent the helmet flying!

Pronger should get 2 games, but it would be shocking if the NHL had the balls to give even one!

The thing that gets me is that while Holstrom is on the ice bleeding Pronger is skating around with a smile on his face. No remorse for injuring someone. He deserves at least 2 games

The attack on Holmstrom was horrid. What was even worse was that only one of the offenders were penalized. Pronger, just by size alone will hit higher then most. He intentionally went for Holmstroms head and out of fustration intended to hurt a player. Detroit embarrassed the ducks completely and Pronger lashed out in a horribly inappropriate and dangerous manner. The NHL must send a message loud and clear that this type of behavior has no business being in the NHL. Pronger gave our great game a bad name last night. Shame on him!

I agree with your observation that Pronger should get at least one game for sure and maybe two. He is one of the league's best defenseman and their is strong agreement maybe the league's best defensment. I don't even remember Bobbie Orr playing hockey that way.....Pronger was way over the top on this one!

Cory Perry is on tape saying the Ducks will"get" some of the Wings players, Pronger's premeditated driving of Holmstrom's
head into the glass with both of his forearms behing his head was a blantant attempt to injure him. Let's see if the N.H.L. condones this type of play by allowing Pronger to play anymore in this series. They have a chance to send a message about this kind of play.

Thank you. Thank you for jumping on this right away. Personally I thought Niedermayer's hit was good. Enough for a penalty yes, but all shoulder. In a lopsided game I would be trying to punish the opposing team's best players as well. In Pronger's case it was worthy of suspension. It wasn't so much because it was a hit from behind as it was the fact that he lifted his elbow, early. He was aiming. I am sympathetic to the case where a player is taller than the other and cannot help but touch an elbow to a head. This was not the case. Yes Pronger is taller but not by much. And again, he did not make contact with his elbow after the hit, as a follow through, but before. This is the key point. The league will be the laughing stock and all of their talk just so much wind if they do not suspend Pronger.

The hit was premeditated ! The puck was passed behind the net and Pronger still pursued Holmstrom . Suspend him for the playoffs. I lost a lot of respect for Pronger over the last couple of games. Just because he is a superstar doesn't mean he can't be a bonehead.

I think that Pronger should be suspended. His hit to the head was a deliderate attempt to injure. The NHL clearly has to send a message that this type of play is NOT tolorated in their league. The NHL is supposed to be the best hockey league in the world where all the goons have already been weeded out. It's time the NHL raise their standards and apply an appropriate penalty. The NHL are not the bad guys in this situation, it's Pronger

Maybe you could be a little more observant and a little less misleading. If Holmstrom learned how to actually do up his strap properly his helmet would'nt have flown off. When he learns how to do this maybe he can teach Drury the same, or vise versa.

Pronger and Neidermeyer should both be suspended. They knew exactly what they were doing. If the League is committed to getting this crap out of the game like they say they are - then step up and make an example NOW that this will not be tolerated! One of the 2 should be done for the playoffs and send a message to everyone that these cheap shots have no place in the game!

As a big fan of the NHL overall, I will be very disappointed, disgusted and frustrated if the League becomes hippocritical here and does nothing. I hope they get this right and hand down a suspension to both pronger and neidermeyer!

Heavy suspensions are the only way that this garbage will be taken out of the game - and if a heavy suspension doesn't deter someone from doing this - then they shouldn't play period!

The League should adopt a variation of Baseballs abuse program. First time 20 games, second time 60 games third time DONE! The NHL needs to take these hits very seriously, just because Holmstrom came back to the game should not be a factor - the hit was a hit regardless. A variation of the rule may be - first cheap hit 10 games, second 30 games, third DONE for a full season!

Bravo to Scott for taking a stand against a player who has benefitted from the NHL's need to celebrity in the States to overlook Pronger's documented goon tendencies. Ray Bourque hit. Rob Blake hip-checked with the best. But Pronger head hunts. He tried to line up Yzerman a few years ago, but the Captain got the better on him in ducking and blowing out Pronger's knee as he was about to steamroll him.

The NBA just made a hard decision against Phoenix despite public opinino to the contrary; will Bettman have the courage to do the same?

I agree. 2 games would probably be reasonable but I'll be surprised if it's more then one game. Campbell is notoriously inconsistent in his supplemental discipline and I expect him to follow suit on this one. He's also never been very tough on star players like Pronger so I expect 1 game at the most - and I won't be surprised if it's no suspension at all and simply a fine.

I agree. 2 games would probably be reasonable but I'll be surprised if it's more then one game. Campbell is notoriously inconsistent in his supplemental discipline and I expect him to follow suit on this one. He's also never been very tough on star players like Pronger so I expect 1 game at the most - and I won't be surprised if it's no suspension at all and simply a fine.