The Daily Sniper: News and notes from last night’s action…
| Just when you thought the Western Conference Final couldn’t get any better, more competitive, physical or entertaining… It didn’t. After two stellar hockey games in Detroit, the series shifted to Anaheim for what turned out to be a stinker in Game Three. Unless, of course, you’re a Red Wings fan. The Wings put on a clinic for the Ducks and their fans last night, taking Game Three by a 5-0 margin.
Detroit’s Tomas Holmstrom was the main story of the night, scoring two goals and an assist, but he will probably be remembered for being sandwiched between Rob Niedermayer, Chris Pronger and the boards. With 11:40 to go in the second, the two Ducks collided with Holmstrom as he turned his back and went for a loose puck along the side boards in Anaheim’s zone. Niedermayer led with his shoulder, and it appeared that Pronger went towards Holmstrom’s head with his hands. Holmstrom was down on the ice for a few moments, and needed double digit stitches before returning for the third period. |
Chris Pronger could face disciplinary action for this hit on Tuesday night. |
Pronger, by league rules against blows to the head, could be looking at a possible suspension. Last night, it was Niedermayer who was given five minutes and a game misconduct for what was undoubtedly the lesser and legal of the two hits.
The league will have have to act quickly if it has any inclination of suspending either Niedermayer or Pronger, as Game Four is scheduled for Thursday night. As of this moment, the league has scheduled a hearing with Pronger for sometime this afternoon, but this does not guarantee a suspension.
If Pronger had been given the game misconduct last night, this would all probably be a non-issue as the proper punishment would have been handed out. The fact that the refs made the wrong call by punishing the wrong player last night, could see Pronger get a suspension for Game Four.
Game 3 highlights:
UPDATE: Pronger has been suspended for Game Four.
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