Explain to me why Roberts shouldn't get suspended for his cheap shot yesterday?

Question

and the ref, of course, is staring right at it and doesn't make the call.

Answer 1

It was a glove (fist) to the head, and not an elbow, but still not appropriate.

Personally, I'd like to see all hits to the head punished, and have felt this way for several years.  

I wouldn't have minded if Roberts had simply thrown a check to the body (torso), leading with his shoulder...the right way to do things.

I can't speak to Roberts' rap sheet (i.e. # suspensions), so hard to say if the league reviewed it or not.  My guess is they didn't.

I'll just say if (insert name of Penguins star player) was returning to play and got hit like that, there'd be more than a small uproar.

Answer 2

He should, but he isn't going to.  It was pretty low, going after the man who just missed six games because of a concussion.  I'm not impressed.

Answer 3

It's not simply frustration when someone sucker puches a guy in the head when he just came back from a head injury - I call it assualt.

Answer 4

I was surprised to find the Pens going for Franzen's head - more than once, actually.  That's just frustration, let it go, win the Cup - the best revenge.

Answer 5

It was a cheap shot that I believe should get a game suspension so that the NHL shows they won't stand for that kind of stuff. It won't happen though.

Answer 6

Simple, because there is no precedent when people take cheap shots of suspending the players. I'm a Penguins fan and was watching, my first comment was that it was a cheap shot. Yet players do that and you don't see suspensions over it. Now let me guess you think he deserves one JUST because the man is supposed to be recovered from concussion symptoms. Then why only Roberts, what about the fact that he was punched in the back of the head/helmet toward the end. Maybe that shouldn't be a suspension because there was a penalty. Now Roberts should have been penalized, and it was a cheap shot to me, but too late for giving him a penalty and I don't see where it warrants a suspension. He would have got 2 minutes for roughing as a penalty, not kicked out of the game.

Answer 7

It was a cheap shot, but it does not warrant a suspension.  This happens in todays game all of the time; it's nothing big.  I think the best revenge was Datsuyk putting Roberts on his **** at the end of the game in that fight.  He's a fiery fellow, and I really enjoyed watching that.

Answer 8

SORE LOSERS           roberts can't play the game // he could not make the RED WINGS BENCH TEAM

Answer 9

why should he get suspended for it?

Answer 10

Now i know why it started raining in my neck of the woods

Answer 11

I am a wings fan... and I do not think that the punch was worthy of a suspension.  HOWEVER, the league has asked teams to be more forthcoming with reporting injuries in the post season.  If they expect teams to disclose injuries, the league should protect the players, but the Finals is not the time to set new precedents.

Answer 12

i was really disappointed with most of the Pens team yesterday. There were a lot of cheap shots thrown and most of them seemed to be towards the head of a guy that just got cleared from concussion symptons. There's nothing wrong with hitting Franzen, making sure he's ready to play his physical game. But a lot of the shots they gave him were void of any class whatsoever.

Answer 13

Sorry, punching someone is a roughing penalty not a friggin suspension. Worst case, if they felt it was malicious, game misconduct.

I could care less that he is back from a concussion. He shouldn't be back in the lineup if he has not recovered. Those are the risks you take if you return too early from an injury. You don't come back to the Stanley Cup finals and ask everyone to go easy on you, because you're still recovering...

Answer 14

i understand how that is a cheap shot. but honestly, it's hockey. you should only come back from a concussion when you are fully prepared to be pushed around and hit.

Answer 15

I will. Right after you explain to me how your goalie didn't dive.

Answer 16

It was a cheap shot, but it didn't warrant a suspension - even if Roberts is a classless jerk.

Answer 17

Throw the ball, throw that ball, throw the ball!

Answer 18

At least you stay consistent in your ref bashing.

Answer 19

Kind of makes me lose a little respect for the Pens players.  He KNOWS Franzen just got cleared from concussion symptoms, and he pulls this c**p.

...I love Andriy.....the asker never said Ozzie didn't dive.  But since you mentioned it, I'll say he did dive.  Now answer the question, since you said you would.

Answer 20

I am a Pens fan...and I was APPALLED by the behavior of Mr. Roberts. That was a cheap shot and he should be punished. Come on Gary...your not Sean Avery...cut that c**p out.

As for the refs...eh...happens all the time and there is no point whining about no-calls.

Answer 21

How many times has a player punched someone in the head with a gloved hand? How many suspensions resulted? Should there be a different set of rules for players that have just come back from injury? Maybe Gary Bettman should push for a rule stating that any player returning from injury must not be touched by the opposing team for at least 3 games.

Yes, it WAS a cheap shot, and Robert's knew Franzen had suffered a concussion. It was despicable, and I'm sure many people lost some respect for Roberts. (From what I've read, many Pitt. journalists feel the same.) But come on... a suspension for something that happens in every game just because a guy missed a couple games? Thats just whining.

Oh, by the way, I'm a wings fan.

Answer 22

It is really a shame! Just because he's frustrated, because they can't score a goal against the wings, he's gonna play dirty!!!!!!

BAD SPORTSMEN SHIP!!