The 2011-12 Stanley Cup Playoffs are among the most physical I have remembered in quite some time.
I would hate to be the NHL’s Head Disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan at the moment as the number of meetings he has had over the last few days must be humungous and he must be getting dizzy from all of the videotape he has had to analyze.
But one thing is for certain. Hockey fans throughout North America are enjoying the fight filled Philadelphia Flyers/Pittsburgh Penguins series which is bringing us back on a trip down memory lane to the Broadstreet Bullies of the 1970′s. TSN’s ratings have gone up 56% and NBC’s ratings have gone up 77%.
Yesterday the physicality was significant as there were fights, fights and more fights. There were also charges. James Neal is facing two separate hearings, one on a charge on Sean Couturier, and another on Claude Giroux. Meanwhile Aaron Asham is facing a hearing for cross-checking Brayden Schenn across the chin.
The Pittsburgh/Philadelphia series is not alone. In the Vancouver/Los Angeles series, Dustin Brown may face disciplinary action for his elbow on Daniel Sedin. Also, in the Phoenix/Chicago series, Andrew Shaw of the Chicago Blackhawks may face disciplinary action for taking a run at Coyotes’ goaltender Mike Smith.
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