QMJHL goalie Storm Phaneuf gets 9-game ban for kicking crease crasher (VIDEO)

It is unclear what Storm Phaneuf was thinking, but the Chicoutimi Sagueneens goalie will have a while to think about it.

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League typically isn't as harsh with suspensions as its central Canada neighbour. In that contest, the nine-game ban that Phaneuf received on Tuesday for kicking the Drummondville Voltigeurs' Dylan Montcalm qualifies as severe. (Montcalm did crash the crease and was called for goalie interference, but there's always a line for acceptable retaliation.) Verily, one has to wonder what it would actually take to shelved for 10 games in the Q because this is a dirty, disrespectful and dangerous act. Kicking an a fellow competitor is traditionally taboo in hockey since skates, even goaltenders' are sharp.

The hell of it is that Phaneuf, a 19-year-old Gatineau, Que., native in his fourth QMJHL season, was working on a 1-0 shutout when the play happened.

There's no knowing what prompted what might be called a heat-of-the-moment decision, but the common denominator does seem to be a lack of respect in the game. There might be a little blame to spread around since the incident started with Phaneuf being ploughed into by an oncoming opponent. However, a lot of goalies get run into and get their revenge in other ways.

Phaneuf's suspension lasts until Jan. 3, when the Sags face the Shawinigan Cataractes, one of his former teams.

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet.