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The NHL rules on goals off the skate were re-interpreted last season and have been called consistently (as novel as THAT is for the NHL) all year - it is a goal unless there is a kicking motion to put the puck in the net. A player is even permitted to turn his foot to direct the puck into the net now, as long as there is no kicking motion. Personally, I think it's a stupid interpretation and they should either allow or disallow ALL goals off a skate - make it simple. BUT, they made the right call given how they've called it all year.
Pronger deserved the suspension and more. Pronger did not 'throw his arm at the guy's shoulder' he threw his ELBOW at McAmmond's head. It was a lazy, dirty play by Pronger. If he would have moved his feet, he could have laid a solid, clean hit - instead he reached with this arm/elbow. He didn;t have to point his elbow out, he chose too - he now pays the consequences and is lucky the NHL is too wimpy to give him more than a game. Watch the replay - it was an elbow to the temple and McAmmond was out cold BEFORE he hit the ice. All Pronger had to do was keep his elbow in, but he threw it at McAmmond's head instead - this has NOTHING to do with the size difference, I've seen guys run into Prong's elbows before where it reallyt wasn't his fault - but this one was on purpose (or was reckless at least) - the size difference whining is just excuses.
yes the Neil hit on MacDonald warranted a charge, but that doesn't mean the Pronger suspension is not valid.
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