[Hockey News]

TORONTO/NEW YORK (March 19, 2007) -- Nashville Predators forward Jordin Tootoo has been suspended for five games, without pay, for striking Dallas Stars defenseman Stephane Robidas during Game #1074 at Nashville, March 17, the National Hockey League announced today.

Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his annual average salary, Tootoo will forfeit $16,032.80. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

The incident occurred at 16:21 of the third period. Tootoo was assessed a double minor penalty for roughing for his action.

"In reviewing this incident, Stephane Robidas appeared to be initiating a confrontation by approaching Jordin Tootoo," said NHL Senior Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell. "While a player is entitled to defend himself, Mr. Tootoo's forceful blow to Robidas' head was an overly aggressive and inappropriate response. The fact that Mr. Tootoo's actions resulted in an injury to his opponent also was a factor in this decision."

Nashville's Tootoo Suspended For Five Games

[blueandwhite]

interesting finding, that the hit back was inappropriate and overaggressive - don't know if I've ever heard of that before in the NHL.

[ThePundit]

Ted Nolan was surprised, too.

Surprised by Tootoo ban

The five-game suspension handed out to Nashville's Jordin Tootoo by NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell for the punch he threw that knocked out Dallas' Stephane Robidas left a few folks in the Islanders' organization shaking their heads. How is it, they wondered, that Washington's Donald Brashear got only two minutes for cold-cocking Isles defenseman Brendan Witt?

"I'm very surprised," Nolan said of Tootoo's suspension. "The guy was coming after Tootoo, and you knew he was going to hit him. He got the first one in, and the guy goes down. He gets five games for that.

"Now, Brashear was a totally different thing. He sucker-punched Witt. I think that deserves a lot more suspension than two guys going at it the way Tootoo and the other guy that charged him did."

Witt did not attend the optional morning skate and was unavailable for comment.

After defensive lapse, Yashin put on 4th line - Newsday.com

[blueandwhite]

I think it's the post-Simon-took-a-swing effect.

[joepuckster]

What a punk! That was such a cheap shot, sucker-punch to the face of Robidas... and with his gloves on!! Robidas wasn't coming at him with his stick held high like some said. Tootoo could have defended himself in a much better way. All he does every game is go around and take cheap shots on guys. And when is the last time he fought with his gloves *off*? Fight like a man, man!