Post Update @ 5:45p.m.: Chris Pronger has been suspended for one game by the NHL.

Just in case you missed it - which is very likely, since VS. is only available in about 60% of American households - here is the video of Rob Niedermayer and Chris Pronger of the Anaheim Ducks, simultaneously throwing high elbows and crushing the Red Wings’ Tomas Holmstrom’s head into the glass in the second period of game 3:

As a result, Niedermayer was immediately given a game misconduct, and the Red Wings received a 5 minute power play. However, Chris Pronger did not receive any discipline for his illegal and dirty hit. And as you can see in the video, Pronger actually threw a higher and harder elbow than Niedermayer. So why was Pronger not penalized or given a game misconduct?

These cheap, blind-sided, unsportsmanlike hits on opposing players are nothing new to this year’s NHL. Some of the highlights this year included the Chris Simon baseball swing to the face of Ryan Hollweg, Jordin Tootoo’s knockout punch on Stephane Robidas, and Jamie McLennan’s impersonation of Simon on Johan Franzen. The NHL has handed out some suspensions, fines, warnings, and the usual slap on the wrist…

There are a lot of arguments for why the NHL needs to come down harder on players and teams for such unsportsmanlike actions. Many feel that since the players are the largest investments for owners, the league needs to do more to protect those investments. With Chris Pronger not being disciplined at all after his high elbow on Holmstrom last night, it leaves us wondering which players the league is trying to protect…

Do you think Pronger and Nidermayer should be suspended? Will Colin Campbell and the NHL finally say enough is enough, and let the players know that they aren’t free to try to take opposings player out with a cheap shot?