Players Have Been Defending Shawn Thornton, Now Suspended 15 Games

Shawn Thornton was suspended 15 games by the NHL today, one week after he knocked Brooks Orpik down to the ice, punched him a couple of times, and watched Orpik carried off on a stretcher.

Anyone who saw the incident as a “fight” — like any other in the NHL — or in Pittsburgh will most likely consider it too few, while those in Boston or who see it as a one-time mistake of an otherwise clean-playing 36-year old tough guy will see it as too many.

The Boston Bruins have played three games since the Pittsburgh Penguins match, giving Thornton 12 more to sit through.

James Neal was suspended five games for kneeing Brad Marchand on the same shift as the Thornton-Orpik incident. No penalty was called on the play. The suspension was announced on Monday, and to some, was just as bad as Thornton's punches.

After an immediate apology post-game Thornton has remained silent throughout the week, but some current and former players have chimed in on both incidents, frequently siding with Thornton, without condoning his actions.