Shanahan, League got the Thornton Suspension Right

In the Penguins/Bruins game last weekend, there were more than just a couple of incidents of egregious unsportsmanship and players crossing the line. However, and you may not like to hear it, what Shawn Thornton did is one of the most revolting, illegal, and violent acts on NHL ice in years.

It all started when Brooks Orpik laid out a defenseless Loui Eriksson and steamrolled him, giving him his second concussion in a month. Despite challenges from Thornton, Orpik declined his right (responsibility) to answer for his hit, as he often does.

Then, after James Neal gave Marchand his knee to 63's face, Thornton lost his cool, skated across the ice, pulled down Orpik from behind by slew-footing him, and punched the helpless Pittsburgh defenseman several times, knocking him out cold.

It was a violent, terrible act.

Thornton is not a dirty player. Unlike most enforcers, he has always stayed clear of crossing the line and has never been suspended in his 10 year career. The names that always come up as dirty players like Torres, Neil, Orr, Avery, Ott, and more have all served multiple suspensions, but not Thornton. Instead, he always preached "the code", and respecting his fellow players.

He will no longer be able to talk like that.

Shanahan and Co. opted to give out the biggest suspension they've doled since taking over 3 years ago: 15 games. Bruins fans cry out in outrage, but I have to say I'm with Brendan on this one.

Keep in mind, this was not a hockey play. This did not happen in the lightning-fast pace of gameplay that causes some players to make mental and physical mistakes like a hit from behind or a boarding.

Go watch the video again. It was a slow, deliberate act that Thornton had all the time in the world to skate the other way from and he didn't. He sought out Orpik across the ice after the whistle, slew-footed him from behind, and while holding him down threw three punches at the BC alum's defenseless face. You can even see the moment where Thornton paused, hesitated in a moment of contemplation, and then carried through with it.

Orpik is out indefinitely. Thornton, obviously upset and ashamed of himself in the post-game presser, said he was sick to his stomach for the rest of the game.

He has opted to appeal the suspension, as is his right under the CBA. Once again, outcry from around league says that he should just take the suspension and move on. But can you blame him? A 35 year old enforcer, in the last year of his contract, who's going to lose over $80,000 in this ban.

I don't blame Bruins fans for being upset. Orpik threw a dirty hit and was a coward for not answering the call. Thornton is a beloved player and 15 games is a long time.

But think of it objectively. If someone like Brandon Prust or George Parros did the same to Seidenberg or Boychuk, we would want them suspended for a year, fined millions, and for Lucic to pound his face into mush. You can't have it both ways.

The league had a chance to make a statement and they did. Shanahan didn't do it last month with John Scott or countless other times, but he did this time. You can't make the argument that the NHL needs to step up for player's safety and then get mad that the NHL handed out a stout punishment when a Bruin's player did what he did.

Hopefully this serves as a lesson across the league and we can finally start to make real strides to protect the players in the NHL so they can keep playing the game we love.