Pronger Suspended

How can I rant about Chris Pronger being suspended for taking Dean McAmmond out with an elbow during game three? No, I don't think it should be more than one game. I don't think he should have even gotten suspended. As with the entire out come of the game, it can be blamed on the refs. How none of them saw that is beyond me. Had a penalty been issued during the game, he might not have even gotten suspended.

Why, exactly, am I complaining about the refs again? My blogging buddy pointed out in a MySpace bulletin that Senator Chris Neil was knocking Ducks over left and right, elbowing Andy McDonald, and taking out Chris Kunitz, who just returned from injury, in the beginning of the game. A penalty wasn't issued to Neil either, which doesn't make any sense at all. Neil caused more dammage, in my opinion, than Pronger did, and Pronger is the one who gets suspended. I don't understant anything this league does at all, anymore.

Another point? After reviewing the "elbow" (different video) several times, it seems like it was not as intentional as some people, namely Sens fans, think it was. There was movement on Pronger's part, however, it was not as much as people would like to think. His arm did move, but, not only is Pronger 7 inches taller than McAmmond, but McAmmond did have his head down a bit, and, much like the Janssen hit on Kaberle, could have been paying more attention than he was. Also, in Pronger's defense, due to his height, his arm could have naturally been there, although he did appear to jerk it as McAmmond approached.

All I'm saying, is that when you're skating quickly, and somone's elbow is right in your face, regardless of weather or not they jerk it towards you or not, you're going to get hurt. If the refs had been paying attention, as when the hit that caused the Janssen suspention occurred, punishment would have been given during the game, and the suspention might not have been issued, or, in Janssen's case, been less severe. The refs during the playoffs have been terrible. Next post season, they should spend a little more time picking the officials.