Blackhawks Guard Duncan Keith Suspended For Game 4

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jun 6, 2013 1:30PM

Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith was suspended by the National Hockey League for Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against Los Angeles tonight for a retaliatory high-sticking of Kings forward Jeff Carter in Game 3.

Keith received a double minor in the second period of Game 3 during an incident where he and Carter got into a tussle near the goal. Keith lost his stick and glove and, as he attempted to pick up the glove, Carter swung his stick down toward Keith's hand. The video, which we embedded below, is inconclusive as to whether the blade of Carter's stick made contact with Keith's hand.

What is conclusive was Keith's response: He swung his stick at Carter and the blade caught him in the face, resulting in 20 stitches and some future dental work. League disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan said Keith's reaction was too much, even if Carter's swing was intentional.

And it was a boneheaded play, even though apologists like Daily Herald columnist Barry Rosner have filled the radio airwaves this morning saying the only thing Keith was guilty of was getting caught. But the Blackhawks cannot afford to lose their top defenseman and the 2010 Norris Trophy winner. Keith and Brent Seabrook are an integral part of the Blackhawks' puck possession game and Keith's physicality plays a huge role in the Hawks' penalty killing unit.

Hawks forward Patrick Kane said, "He eats up a lot of ice. He's a guy that's in great shape. He never gets tired out there. He's tireless. Especially on the back end with a guy that can move the puck like that, plays in all situations -- power play, penalty kill -- it's a huge part of this team."