Patrick Kaleta Headbutted a Guy. Shit Got Real.

Buffalo Sabre's forward Patrick Kaleta has been suspended for 4 games following an incident in the Sabre's November 2nd game against the Flyers, and by incident, I mean Kaleta headbutted another player for the second time of his career.

In a National Hockey League where hundreds of players and coaches are concerned with concussions and head shots, Patrick Kaleta stands alone.  What a ballsy move, endangering another player's head and his own head in a single play. What an over-achiever.

Andrew Ference Gives Canadiens an All-American Salute

Tonight the much heated Montreal-Boston series continued with an exhilarating 5-4 overtime comeback win for the Bruins. However tomorrow it won't be Michael Ryder's OT goal that the papers will be talking about. Instead it'll be this:

Bad-ass central.

After scoring a huge goal contributing to the comeback, defensive defenseman Andrew Ference simply flipped off the Montreal fanbase. In postgame interviews, Ference, apparently unaware that there are cameras at NHL games, claimed that it wasn't what it looked like and he merely tried to "fist pump"...

Fist pumpin' like a champ?

Right. Ference should expect a fine, but no suspension. I like Ference. He's not a bad guy and he brings a solid defensive game to a team, so its nice to see him score, even if he's such an... impulsive celebrator.

Brooks Bratten on the Upcoming Islanders/Pens Rematch

Fans of the Pittsburgh Penguins remember what occurred on February 11^th of this year. They remember Matt Martin applying a sucker punch that barely missed the skull of Max Talbot. They remember Trevor Gillies throwing a flying elbow into the face of Eric Tangradi, and then continuing to throw punches on the defenseless winger as he lay on the ice. They remember Michael Haley goading Brent Johnson into his second brawl in nine days, and Eric Godard coming off of the bench to protect his goaltender.

The massacre on Long Island is still fresh in my mind, and I imagine I am not the only fan of the flightless fowl that shares these vivid images. That game was scary to watch. It was frightening to come to the realization that what I was witnessing was not hockey; not the game I love, but a gongshow that has no place in professional sports.

The thing that scares me now is that there is still one more visit to Long Island looming on the calendar. Friday night, the Penguins will faceoff at the Nassau Veterans’ Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, against the Islanders.

Matt Cooke Recieves Big Suspension for Brutal Elbow

Today Penguins enforcer, and noted NHL villain, Matt Cooke received a suspension that will cover the rest of the regular season and the first round of the playoffs. A suspension of such length covers at least 14 games and at most 17.


Last Sunday Cooke delivered an unnecessary elbow to the head of New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh. It has been implied that the NHL is using this hit as an example as Cooke is a repeat offender and the hit showed intent to injure. Cooke will forfeit over $200,000 in salary

The Penguins general manager Ray Shero offered this statement:
“The suspension is warranted because that’s exactly the kind of hit we’re trying to get out of the game. Head shots have no place in hockey. We’ve told Matt in no uncertain terms that this kind of action on the ice is unacceptable and cannot happen. Head shots must be dealt with severely, and the Pittsburgh Penguins support the NHL in sending this very strong message.”

As a Pens fan, I am disgusted and disappointed with Cooke. He deserves every punishment the NHL offers him.

Pavel Kubina Suspended

The NHL has issued a statement that Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Pavel Kubina has been suspended for 3 games after elbowing Chicago's Dave Bolland in the head.



Kubina will forfeit close to $61,000 in salary.  He will be eligible to return March 17th vs. Montreal.

This hit comes just 2 days after the Zdeno Chara-Max Pacioretty incident.  To me, I think it is ridiculous that Chara doesn't get any kind of suspension seeing he put Pacioretty in the hospital and Kubina gets 3 games for an elbow that doesn't even get called as a penalty.  Now don't get me wrong, I think Kubina should be suspended, I just also feel like Chara should have been disciplined as well.

You can see the Zdeno Chara hit here.

Chara Thugs it Up in Montreal (UPDATED)

Tonight in the Bell Centre, home of the Montreal Canadiens, the Canadiens hosted the Boston Bruins for a much anticipated Original Six matchup, but with 20 seconds left in the second period the focus quickly shifted from the game at hand to the health of Montreal forward Max Pacioretty.

Boston captain Zdeno Chara delivered a controversial hit to Pacioretty in front of the Bruins bench which pushed the forward headfirst into the divider between the team benches.

The only question now is if Chara will face suspension, and if so, how many games could he miss? Personally, I don't think Chara had the full intention of putting Pacioretty into the divider, but still he is expected to be more responsible with his hitting as a captain and a respected veteran of the league.

UPDATE: Chara will receive no suspension or fine for the hit.

NHL Dishes Out Suspensions

The NHL has chosen to suspend 3 players and fine the New York Islanders organization $100,000 following Friday's brawl between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Islanders.

INCIDENT: Islanders forward Matt Martin sucker punches Penguins forward Max Talbot at center ice.

Poor quality, but you get the picture.  Martin suspended 4 game.