NHL Suspends Blackhawks Shaw Three Games

By Chuck Sudo in News on Apr 17, 2012 8:20PM

Blackhawks center Andrew Shaw was handed a three-game suspension by NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan today for his hit on Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith in Game 2 of his Western Conference playoff matchup Saturday.

Smith was playing the puck behind the net when Shaw skated into him and made with Smith in the second period. Smith went flying—some say he flopped; we aren't among that number— and Shaw was assessed a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct. Smith finished the game and said he was fine afterwards, but was held out of practice yesterday and Phoenix didn't make him available to media after practice today.

Shaw's hit on Smith is one of the more memorable ones in what's turned into a physical Stanley Cup playoffs marred by hard hits, fights, and seemingly arbitrary punishments by Shanahan that have led to further criticism.

In the video below, Shanahan said that the goalie was not fair game simply because he left the crease to play the puck, but that incidental contact may be allowed "if the attacking player has made a reasonable effort to avoid such contact." The angles used in Shanhan's explanation show Shaw trying to get out of Smith's way. Shanahan, obviously, thought differently.

And here's video of Shaw's hit on Smith. If the series reaches a Game six, Shaw will be available to return.