Joe Thornton Suspension Appeal Rejected

Filed under: Sharks, NHL Discipline

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Despite a morning appeal, Joe Thornton's two-game suspension for a hit on St. Louis forward David Perron, remained in place, according to league sources.

Thornton and his agent argued to have the suspension overturned, with the Sharks providing support during a morning conference call, but commissioner Gary Bettman denied the appeal, sources said.

So Thornton will remain out for tonight's game against Tampa Bay, a development that upsets the Sharks players, who feel that Thornton's hit on Perron on Thursday was not a predatory hit. Thornton was coming out of the penalty box when a pass was directed Perron's way as he came out of the middle; the Sharks termed it more of a collision than anything else and noted that Thornton didn't lean much into Perron. As far as the San Jose players and staff are concerned, the height difference -- Thornton is 6-foot-4 and Perron 6-foot -- led to what appears like a head shot, especially because Perron's head was down.

"There was zero attempt to injure," Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle said. "And a player has a responsibility to have his head up."

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Jacky Ickx Yuji Ide Jesús Iglesias Taki Inoue Innes Ireland