After a lengthy and drawn-out procedure, NHL discipline czar Brendan Shanahan ruled Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw will be suspended three games for charging Phoenix goalie Mike Smith during Saturday’s 3-2 overtime victory.
First, the video explanation:
Then this, from TSN’s Darren Dreger:
This scenario is sure to draw controversy, given the following:
-- After Shaw was given a five-minute charging major and game misconduct, Smith returned to and finished Saturday’s game.
-- The suspension was announced roughly six hours prior to Game 3. Shaw practiced with the ‘Hawks this morning.
-- Phoenix originally had Smith listed as a game time decision for this evening.
This is the fifth suspension Shanahan’s issued during the opening round of the playoffs, eclipsing last year’s first-round total of three (when Colin Campbell was in charge of discipline.)
It also matches the longest suspension Shanahan has issued this postseason, on par with the three-gamer given to Rangers forward Carl Hagelin for elbowing Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson.