Fansided

Duncan Keith will not appeal six-game suspension

By Dave Stevenson

May 3, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (2) plays puck during the first period in game two against the Minnesota Wild of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (2) plays puck during the first period in game two against the Minnesota Wild of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Duncan Keith will not be appealing his six-game suspension for hitting Charlie Coyle in the face.

Against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday March 29, Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith deliberately hit Wild forward Charlie Coyle in the face, cutting him open. He received a six-game suspension for his actions and will miss the first playoff game of the Blackhawks postseason. According to his head coach Joel Quenneville, he won’t be appealing the suspension.

That is a wise decision by Keith, as he is lucky to only be suspended for six games. He could have, and probably should have, been suspended for much longer. Chicago has to be happy that he will only miss one playoff game due to the suspension. It benefits both the Blackhawks and Duncan Keith for the suspension to start as soon as possible so that he can play in the playoffs. An appeal would have delayed the suspension.

Keith is an extremely important member of the Blackhawks, as he is a two-time Norris Trophy winner and he won the Conn Smythe last postseason as the playoff MVP. They will certainly miss him for the one playoff game that he won’t be playing, but they’ll be happy to have him back after his suspension.

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