Blues defenseman Ian Cole has been suspended three games by the NHL for his hit on Detroit's Justin Abdelkader in Saturday's 3-0 loss to the Red Wings.
Here's the video explanation of the suspension released by Brendan Shanahan of the league's department of player safety:
"As the video shows, Abdelkader receives a pass at the middle of the ice from teammate Jonathan Ericsson as he is approaching the attacking blueline. When skating up the middle on a play like this, all players understand the danger and should expect that a good, hard full body check could be looming. However, what no player should expect any longer is that his head will be picked and made the principal point of contact, whether intentionally or recklessly.
"As Abdelkader is receiving and settling the puck, Cole approaches fresh from a line change. Cole overshoots Abdelkader, delivering a shoulder check not square through the body, but instead past the body and into his opponent's jaw. If Cole decides to attempt a hit while approaching at this angle, he must hit Abdelkader square through the body and avoid picking his head. It is important to note that in spite of the fact that Abdelkader is moving up the ice, neither his speed nor his head positioning significantly changed just prior to contact.
"While we agree with Cole's assertions that he did not intend to hit Abdelkader in the head and did not use his elbow, this is a quintessential example of recklessly targeting a player's head and making it the principal point of contact. As was made clear in the department of player safety rules explanation video, that all NHL players were required to watch during the preseason, targeting can be defined as either intentional or reckless."
Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said he respected the NHL's decision, but he disputed the notion that Cole's play was reckless.
"I don't think it was a reckless play...I think it was a hockey play that was legal 12 months ago that's not legal today," he said. "I understand the sensitivity on hits to the head and we respect that, but I support Ian in the sense that it was a play that (Abdelkader) coming across the middle has to be aware, and unfortunately he wasn't.
"We accept the decision because we understand the importance of player safety. I respect the league because I sit in on those meetings and we do say that we want to (eliminate these types of hits), so you have to live with the ramifications. But I don't think it was an intentful play, or a reckless play. I just think it was a hockey play that went awry. I understand the league's position, but I also understand Ian's position."
Cole will miss three games at a time when he was going to be, more or less, guaranteed games because of injuries on the Blues' defense.
"This was a great opportunity for Ian to get in there and play some games uninterrupted," Armstrong said. "Now he's going to have to wait his time again. But Ian is just scratching the surface of his NHL career, so this is a minor setback in the big picture, but it is a setback because he was going to get to play some games."
Cole, who will forfeit $21,081.09 in salary, will miss games Tuesday against Phoenix, Thursday against Edmonton and Saturday against Colorado. He will be eligible to return Jan. 10 at Montreal.
The suspension leaves the Blues with only five defensemen. Armstrong said the club will call up a defenseman from Peoria, but the player won't be in St. Louis until tomorrow's practice because the Rivermen just played three games in three nights. The call-up will likely be Cade Fairchild or Danny Syvret.
"We'll get Ian back here for the Montreal game and it's going to give somebody a real good opportunity for the next three nights because they're going to be in the lineup," Armstrong said.
