Predators' Scott Nichol Suspended Five Games

[Thrillhouse]

TORONTO - Nashville Predators forward Scott Nichol has been suspended for five games, without pay, for an incident involving Montreal Canadiens defenseman Patrice Brisebois in NHL Game #374 Dec. 1, the National Hockey League announced today.

Nichol was assessed a double minor for highsticking at 16:40 of the second period.

"The crosscheck by Mr. Nichol to the head area of his opponent was reckless and dangerous," said Colin Campbell, NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations. "Although no serious injury resulted, the action is unacceptable."

Nichol, who was suspended nine games for an incident in December, 2006, now is considered a repeat offender under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Accordingly, he forfeits $45,731.70 in salary based on the number of games in the season (82), rather than the number of days (187). The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Nichol will miss Nashville's next five games -- Dec. 4 at Toronto, Dec. 6 vs. Vancouver, Dec. 8 vs. Anaheim, Dec. 10 vs. Detroit and Dec. 13 vs. Colorado. He will be eligible to return Dec. 15 at Colorado.

[lampington]

wait, did i miss something? did nichol get traded to the flyers?

[KingsFan1980]

Originally Posted by lampington

wait, did i miss something? did nichol get traded to the flyers?

yes ages ago where have you been?:P

[Humpzilla]

Anyone got a clip?

The suspensions are quickly beginning to get out of hand....

[Humpzilla]

Its at the 6:20 minute mark (-2:59)

[youtube=QWCsvHc83yY]Scitt Nichol cross-check[/youtube]

[jayc948]

Interesting. From that angle I see no follow through with the cross check, it just looks like he stuck his stick up his face. Kind of looked like a dive right there.

[Isles4life]

Originally Posted by jayc948

Interesting. From that angle I see no follow through with the cross check, it just looks like he stuck his stick up his face. Kind of looked like a dive right there.

Looked the same to me. Definitely didn't see the follow through for a cross-check. Where does the NHL come up with that warranting a 5 game suspension? The repeat offender thing I think is BS for what was a very different infraction.

[theknuckler]

yeah, i wish nichol would have knocked that guys teeth out, and him out. Nice cross check to the 'head area' with his gloves falling off and all! never knew he was so talented.

[Baronking]

really?

i mean that happens all the time. wow. brisebois must have been in drama club

[devils29]

That's ****in ridiculous! 5 games for that?!?!?! I know Nichol has a history of suckerpunching people but that was weak - I agree with posted above looked like the stick was there and Brisebois dived. ****in pansy.

[Lead]

5 game suspension for THAT ? Give me a break....
Comon - lets suspend everybody.

EDIT: Brisebois should get 5 games for diving.

[BGDDYKWL]

Typical nonsense we unfortunately are going to have to grow accustomed to. He crosschecks pansy Brisebois in an attempt to get him to drop the gloves and Patrice goes down like he's been shot. And the league feels that's worth five games. So ridiculous.

[bupz91]

wow, suspensions are getting worse and worse

[FightingIsGood]

The most ridiculous thing about this suspension is that after Nichol crosschecked him in the CHEST (not the HEAD, Campbell-moron) is that not only did he not follow through, he actually DROPPED HIS STICK! And for that, he gets a 5 game suspension. Unbelievable.

The NHL has completely lost all of its credibility...and their minds.

[canuckfan]

I see this as an over-reaction against a repeat offender.

Whatever though, I wouldn't get too bent out of shape about it. Nichol is a dirtbag and pulls stupid stuff like this every year. No skin off my nose.