Ottawa – It will be the No. 1 controversial topic around the Stanley Cup Finals today, and it is probably no surprise Chris Pronger is in the center of it all.
Suspended once already in the playoffs, the Anaheim defenseman could get another forced absence if NHL disciplinarians deem serious enough the elbow to the head he used to level Ottawa forward Dean McAmmond in Saturday’s Game 3.
Pronger stuck his left elbow into the head of the forechecking McAmmond, who was down on the ice for several minutes and needed help to the dressing room. He did not return and his status for Game 4 is unclear, although the former Avalanche player was said to be alert after the game.
Pronger, who was suspended for Game 4 of the Western Conference finals for an elbow to the head of Detroit’s Tomas Holmstrom, was not penalized on the hit.
“For the life of me, I can’t see how four officials missed it,” Ottawa coach Bryan Murray said. “But it’s not up to me to decide what happens (to Pronger). But I thought it was an obvious call. We saw what he did to the Detroit player in the previous round.”
Ottawa winger Chris Neil, who scored the Senators’ first goal, said of Pronger, “He’s known for that, and hopefully the (league) gives him something.”
Kunitz hurt again
The Ducks lost valuable utility forward Chris Kunitz to what appeared to be a right knee injury in the second period. He did not return to the game and could be lost for the series. Kunitz had just returned after being out three weeks with a broken bone in his right hand.
Footnote
The game was the first Finals game in Ottawa in modern history. A Senators team last won the Cup in 1927, with lower-bowl seats priced at $2.20 (Canadian).
Scalpers reportedly were getting upward of $1,000 for Saturday’s Game 3.
