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The NHL has acted swiftly and has suspended Blackhawks energy forward Andrew Shaw for Game 5 of their first round series against the St. Louis Blues.
Shaw will also be fined $5,000 for his Finger 11 that he flipped at the ref and linesmen on his way to the penalty box on Tuesday night.
Shaw will also be required to complete a mandatory sensitivity training course.
NHL Senior Exec VP of Hockey Operation Colin Campbell issued this comment on the Shaw matter:
Colin Campbell's statement regarding Shaw suspension, fine pic.twitter.com/HmdbaQiH7S
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) April 20, 2016
The You Can Play Project also commented on Shaw:
#AndrewShaw #ChicagoBlackhawks #NHL #YouCanPlay pic.twitter.com/ucgRZ6jOB6
— You Can Play Project (@YouCanPlayTeam) April 20, 2016
Thanks, CSN Chicago
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I have no way to confirm whether Shaw's remarks were smack talk in the heat of the moment, or, if they were truly intended to be homophobic comments. Only the player and the person whom the comments were directed towards can speak to that.
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Chicago Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw made inappropriate , offensive, homophobic remarks towards an on ice official during Tuesday night's Game 4 versus the St. Louis Blues.
On Wednesday, Shaw did the right thing and apologized for his verbal transgressions.
The Chicago Blackhawks and Andrew Shaw have released the following statements:
Andrew Shaw
“I am sincerely sorry for the insensitive remarks that I made last night while in the penalty box. When I got home and saw the video, it was evident that what I did was wrong, no matter the circumstances. I apologize to many people, including the gay and lesbian community, the Chicago Blackhawks organization, Blackhawks fans and anyone else I may have offended. I know my words were hurtful and I will learn from my mistake."
Shaw, 24, earned $2 million in 2015-16. He is due to become a restricted free agent on July 1.
Shaw is a useful player who likes to agitate his opponents with his chirps and his trademark in your face style of play.
On Tuesday night, Shaw crossed the line. Now, he must apologize and show honest contrition for his poor choice of words and negative thought processes.
It is still a real possibility that the NHL hit Shaw with a game or two suspension for his insensitive comments. If he ends up getting one game suspension, which I am in favor of, and the Blues beat the Blackhawks and eliminate them in five games, then it's possible that Shaw may have played his last game for Chicago. The Blackhawks will be pressed up against the $71 million NHL salary cap next season. Sbut rating Shaw's $2 million from their salary cap would then give GM Stan Bowman more money to give to pending UFA Andrew Ladd, whom was traded to Chicago at the NHL trade deadline in February. The Hawks will also need money to re-sign super rookie Archie Panarin, who will become UFA on July 1, 2017.
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Chicago Blackhawks
“We are extremely disappointed in Andrew Shaw's actions last night. His comments do not reflect what we stand for as an organization. We are proud to have an inclusive and respectful environment, and to support various initiatives such as the You Can Play Project and the Chicago Gay Hockey Association. We will use this opportunity to further educate our players and organization moving forward, so that we all may learn from it."
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The hangman's gallows await the Philadelphia Flyers.
One more loss to the Washington Capitals and the Flyers will be golfing by Saturday.
Down, out, and totally desperate, Flyers rookie head coach Dave Hakstol will give his net to veteran Michal Neuvirth in Game 4.
Neuvirth, a second round pick of the Capitals in 2006, was 18-8-2 with a .924 save % and 2.27 GAA this season.
This goalie change begs the question:
What took so long to yank Mason and replace him with Neuvirth?
Neuvirth hasn't started a game since April 10.
Steve Mason has earned a night off after allowing12 goals in three games, 5 of which were PPGs in Game 3.
Mason's dismal 4.09 GAA and a .852 save percentage and sloppy special teams are killing the Flyers.
Ovechkin and the Caps are a sizzling 8 for 17 on the power play in the first three games of this series. Is it any wonder that Washington leads the series 3-0? Six pucks found the back of Mason's net in Game 3, 5 of them PPGs.
Can it get any worse for Philly?
Mason was trending world wide after Game 2 when he allowed a 110 foot dump and change goal to grinder Jason Chimera.
That one mistake will haunt Mason for the next 20 years if the Caps sweep the Flyers in four games.
Talk about a punch in the gut.
Facing elimination, the Flyers have scored just two goals in the first three games of the first round series series.
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