Should Joe Thornton Be Suspended?

[RGM81]

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=339947

Joe Thornton paid a high price for what he believed was a clean check. So did the San Jose Sharks, who have trouble mustering offence these days even with their scoring leader on the ice.
David Perron recovered from Thornton's elbow to the head with a goal that helped the St. Louis Blues win their sixth in a row at home to start the season in a 2-0 victory on Thursday night.
"I asked the guys who hit me actually, because I didn't know who it was," Perron said. "Obviously, Joe's not a dirty player. It's good I got to score a goal and it was a big one for us."
Thornton, who has 15 points in 12 games, didn't think he did anything wrong. Just the same, he missed the last 34:31.
"I felt like I established myself on the ice," Thornton said. "I just braced myself for the hit. He just ran into me, to be honest with you."

For the record, Thornton had earlier received a 2-minute boarding penalty before the elbow on Perron, for which he received 5 and a game. It's early in the morning yet, but there does exist the possibility of supplementary discipline from the NHL for a head to the hit. Should Thornton be suspended?

Discuss.

[afholmes87]

Here's a good video of the hit on YouTube for anyone who missed it last night. While I despise Joe Thornton, I'm torn on this hit. Perron's defensemen got the puck to him late, his head was turned, and he wasn't moving his feet. With that being said, I think a player should have the reason to say in his head, hey this player is defenseless, I shouldn't just jump out of the box and give him the GORDIE elbow...

[RGM81]

Disciplinary hearing taking place right now.

[duwal]

Here's a good video of the hit on YouTube for anyone who missed it last night. While I despise Joe Thornton, I'm torn on this hit. Perron's defensemen got the puck to him late, his head was turned, and he wasn't moving his feet. With that being said, I think a player should have the reason to say in his head, hey this player is defenseless, I shouldn't just jump out of the box and give him the GORDIE elbow...

but it wasn't an elbow at all. Pause at 7 seconds and you can see its his shoulder pad making the biggest impact. It was a shoulder check to a guy that wasn't looking for the hit. He was trying more to concentrate on the pass to him that was sent behind him. He missed the remainder of the game because of it, don't see it warranting a suspension as you can see he didn't throw up his elbow to the face, he didn't go full speed into him. He was coming 15 feet out of the penalty box and delivered a shoulder check. Guys like Scott Stevens and others perfected those hits

[duwal]

Thornton got 2 game suspension

[zunato]

It looks more like Perron ran into Thornton. I don't think he should have been suspended.