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Justin Abdelkader suspended 2 games for charging Ducks’ Toni Lydman

Detroit Red Wings head coach disagreed with the thought that his player, Justin Abdelkader, could be suspended for hitting Anaheim Ducks defenseman Toni Lydman in Game 3 saying, "[H]oly mackerel, I don’t know what you’re going to be suspended for."

Brendan Shanahan didn't share that notion, and handed Abdelkader a two-game suspension on Sunday for the hit:

The two big factors here were how far Abdelkader traveled to make the hit (a lot) and the launching into Lydman, making contact with the head. If Abdelkader doesn't launch himself into Lydman, he probably avoids any contact with the head, thereby allowing him to play in Game 4 and 5, which he won't now.

According to Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register, Lydman was suffering from a sore neck and a migraine. He didn't practice with the Ducks on Sunday and head coach Bruce Boudreau called him "questionable" for Game 4 on Monday night. Sheldon Souray will likely return to the lineup and skate in his place.

Follow Sean Leahy on Twitter at @Sean_Leahy


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