Sutton has Shanahan phone hearing tomorrow, big suspension looming?
Dec 9, 2011, 5:20 PM EDT
Following up on yesterday’s news that Edmonton Oilers defenseman Andy Sutton was suspended indefinitely for a hit on Carolina’s Alexei Ponikarovsky, the NHL has announced Sutton will have a Saturday telephone hearing with league disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan.
Sutton had previously waived his right to an in-person hearing.
Here’s the hit in question:
(FYI: That’s TSN analyst and former NHLer Ray Ferraro saying “the Hurricanes are asking why is this not five [major penalty] and to tell you the truth, I don’t have the answer for you.”)
As we wrote yesterday, Sutton has a lengthy rap sheet of suspendable offenses that’s moved him from “repeat offender” to potential “serial offender” status. That, plus the fact Shanahan offered an in-person hearing, doesn’t bode especially well for the hulking blueliner, according to ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun:
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- pens919209 - Dec 9, 2011 at 11:15 PM
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That hit is the perfect illustration of what people mean when they say “he tried to take the guy’s head off.” He’s a big enough guy too, so there’s absolutely no need for him to leave his feet. Anything less than 6 games for Sutton would be a gift.
