Hjarmalsson, Wisniewski Suspended For Two

  Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson has been handed a two game suspension for his hit on Jason Pominville in Monday nights’ game, while James Wisniewski of the New York Islanders has also been slapped with a two-game ban for obscene gestures directed at Sean Avery.

  The hit by Hjalmarsson left Pominville sprawled on the ice for about 15 minutes, and stretchered off of the ice in a silenced arena. He was dealt a concussion by the blow, and required 7-8 stitches to close a gash above his eye.

  The pending result was of intriguing question as to whether or not Hjalmarsson would be suspended by the league. The hit itself can be looked at either way as a dirty or fair hit, but the Sabre’s have not let the two-game ban sit well amongst themselves.

''If I had to play commissioner, I would have went more,'' Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff told the Buffalo News. ''Two games isn't a long time sitting in their case. They play a couple games this week and it's over in three days.''

  Looking ahead to the next time these two teams meet up (Saturday), Ryan Miller, Craig Rivet, and Patrick Kaleta also voiced their opinions.

''I'm sure the next game is going to be heated,'' Rivet told the Buffalo News. ''The most important part is to get the two points. We'll see what happens.''

  As laughable it is that Kaleta would have anything to say about the matter, considering he is one of the dirtiest players in the league, he too tossed in his two cents.

''It'll get taken care of either with the league or I think we play them Saturday, so we'll make a point that you can't be taking hits like that against one of our leaders and one of the better players on our team.''

  Ryan Miller was the voice of reason as he often is, and elaborated further on his and his team’s emotions.

''I don't think we should go head-hunting. I don't think we should do something stupid. Just go play hard. The best thing we can do right now is establish our game and not get caught up in the trivial stuff, the side stuff. We've got bigger things going on. Worry about playing hockey the way we want to play. It's going to be an element of the hockey game I'm sure.''

''People will be talking about it and there will be some emotion surrounding it but you're not going to condone a donnybrook and go old-school or whatever your guys are talking about. I'd like to think the game has evolved a little bit.''

  Hjalmarsson is not a dirty player by any means, but his hit was one of poor judgment. An overzealous attempt to keep the play alive in the offensive zone will cost Pominville some valuable ice time, and an end to his 335 consecutive appearances.

  All players go through a certain learning process, and sometimes it comes with a cost. Niklas Hjalmarsson has offered his apologies, but it will come down to his actions when he’s back on the ice to see what he’s learned from this.

  Meanwhile, New York Islanders defenseman James Wisniewski has been handed a two game suspension by the league for an obscene sexual gesture made toward Rangers forward Sean Avery in the first period of the New York battle on Monday. He will be back in the lineup as early as Saturday, as well. Comissioner Gary Bettman was on scene but says he did not see it at the time, while James Wisniewski says he “didn’t remember doing it.”

  As laughable as that is; it’s bull.

  There are far worse things that a person/player can do, but professionals are paid to be professionals and whether they like it or not, everyone is watching. This includes fans of all ages and aspiring hockey players. The move did not leave a player physically hurt, but instead left his own name tarnished in the eyes of the National Hockey League and many fans.

"A lot of actions on the ice are regrettable," Wisniewski said in a statement. "I've been given a suspension from the league, and I'm going to accept it and move on from here."

  Accept it he will, but Sean Avery has an opinion, of course, as well.

  Avery has often been the source of much controversy in the National Hockey League, most notably for his comment about Dion Phaneuf’s girlfriend in 2008 which cost his a six game suspension by the league, a required anger management counceling course, and ultimately his axe from the Dallas Stars.


  Rightfully, Avery spoke out on the NHL’s decision.

"Can you imagine if I did that?" Avery said. "They sent me to rehab the last time I did something. It's crazy."

  What’s this? Sensible talk from Avery? Yes, actually it is. Two games for actions and six for words. Sean Avery is arguably the most annoying player on (and off) the ice in the NHL, but you have to be mature, and you have to realize everyone is watching.

  Again, I don’t think this action was terrible, but if the NHL wants to keep it out (which they should), they probably need to take a firmer stance.

- Kendall Grubbs