In the harshest response to a regular season incident ever made by department of player safety president, Brendan Shanahan the hockey world seemed conflicted today as after a week where we seemed almost too sure that by the time this punishment came down while he would be facing a ban Shawn Thornton would be back in 10 games Shanahan proved us wrong when he slapped Shawn with a 15 game ban that will have him sitting out for the next 32 calendar days. However as we look more deeply at the explanation posted above, it is clear that despite Thonrton's lack of a history, the severity of this punishment was all but necessary.
As is now widely known, Thornton's attack on Brooks Orpik came after Orpik delivered a highly contested hit on Loui Erikson. It is that hit as much as any other that has fallen under question since that hopelessly dirty play. Furthermore, Thornton who lives and dies by 'the code' loving hockey more than any other human on earth also knows his role on the Bruins team. Despite his commendable skill, he is an enforcer having fought 230 times in his 13 seasons of professional hockey and when he watched Brooks Orpik take out his teammate he knew what he had to do.
However, when, after repeated jabbing and several crosschecks to Orpik's torso, the combatant refused to oblige, Thornton was sent to the box for interference only giving him time to stew and prepare mentally for what could fairly be assumed to be a premeditated attack.
Now in hindsight, Bruins fans must wonder as they come to terms with the lack of their star what if? What if Brooks Orpik was penalized for the hit on Erikson? Would the tensions building at the Garden have dissipated before they most nearly exploded? In the court of public opinion, the answer to that question is yes.
Nevertheless, there is no supporting what Thornton did and it can be stated that to this day a full week after the fact the video of Orpik being slammed into the ice remains truly disgusting.
"This cannot be described as a hockey play that went bad," Brendan Shanahan said in his video. "Nor do we consider this a spontaneous reaction to an incident that just occurred. Rather, it is our view that this was an act of retribution for an incident that occurred earlier in the game. The result of this action by Thornton was a serious injury to Orpik."
The incident between Orpik and Thornton was one not unfamiliar to NHL old timers. It was not even 9 years ago when Todd Bertuzzi committed the dirtiest play in NHL history when he tackled Steve More from behind and ended the Avalanche player's career via the complete paralysis Moor suffered in the coming days. Bertuzzi's reputation was completely demolished as a result of the hit and he was beaten down with a 20 game suspension.
As for the 15 games given to Thonton, these are simply different times and frankly under the disciplinary terms of 2004, Shawn's transgressions last Saturday would probably only have gotten him 7-10 games. The Thornton attack was not on the same level of evil as the Burtuzzi incident but nevertheless the attack remains a sore thumb for the NHL's image. Shanahan's suspension was aimed to at least diminish the prominence of that thumb.
3 of the 15 games assessed to Thornton have already been served since last Saturday so in essence he will only be missing 12 games after the decision made this weekend. However, the 'without pay' portion of the punishments means that Thornton will be forfeiting 18% of his 2013 salary throughout the duration of this suspension. That ought to hurt.
Amidst all this harsh discipline, no one involved with the situation has spoken at any length longer than the Shanahan video regarding the suspension. However, both Peter Charalli as well as Thornton issued brief statements within hours of the decision with the promise of a possible press conference at an undetermined time.
Both men were withholding however in the amount of information and complexity of their words.
"We respect the process including the ability to attend and present our case in person. At this time, we will decline comment until the process is complete and Shawn has exhausted all rights available to him." Charelli said then giving way to Thornton.
"I am aware of today's ruling by the NHL Department of Player Safety. I will be consulting with the Bruins, my representation and the NHLPA about next steps, and will be in a position to address the matter publicly after speaking with those parties. Until then I will have no further comment."
The NHL is a league currently struggling to find its identity as it pertains to fighting. And while it is important to note that this was NOT a fight they needed to crack down here and show the world that they will not tolerate KO's like this.
The days of Todd Bertuzzi gone.
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