Duncan Keith Suspended 1 Game For High-Sticking Jeff Carter

May 5, 2013; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman

(2) scores a goal against Minnesota Wild during the third period in game three of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Duncan Keith stick to the face of Jeff Carter sent him to Brendan Shanahan‘s office and the penalty has been handed down.  Duncan Keith is suspended for  1 game.  If you are one of the few that haven’t seen Jeff Carter whack Duncan Keith’s hand right before Keith gets careless with his stick to Carter’s grill, here is the video evidence.

The other side of the Keith arguement is the injuries that Jeff Carter received from the high stick.

Here is a link to the Shanahan and the Department of Player Safety video on the suspension. Shanahan mentioned retaliation, Caused Carter stitches, and repeat offender before he issued the suspension.

The loss of Keith will hurt a lot for the Chicago defense not only is he tied for third on the teams point total leaderboard with 10 (1 goal 9 assists) Keith averages by far the most amount of ice time of all the Blackhawks defenseman.

The assumption would be that Sheldon Brookbank will be in the lineup instead of Keith but stranger things have happened before Rockford youngster Ryan Stanton on the active roster also.

What do you think was the NHL fair or foul? Did last years retaliation elbow on Daniel Sedin seal the deal for Keith?

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