Andrew Shaw CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 19: Andrew Shaw #65 of the Chicago Blackhawks watches as the puck sails over Brian Elliott #1 of the St. Louis Blues on a goal by Duncan Keith in the third period in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center on April 19, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blues defeated the Blackhawks 4-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
NHLBy Joe Lucia on

The NHL has acted quickly regarding Andrew Shaw’s behavior on Tuesday night, fining the Blackhawks forward $5,000 and suspending him for Chicago’s Game 5 matchup with the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.

During Game 4 on Tuesday night, Shaw used a homophobic slur towards the referee and gestured inappropriately at him. He later apologized on Wednesday. The fine from the NHL was for the gesture, while the suspension was for the slur.

The fine is really just a drop in the cup, but the suspension, for a playoff game nonetheless, should send a message to the NHL’s players that this behavior isn’t acceptable. Hopefully, this will be the start of actual change and not just another incident in a long line.

About Joe Lucia

I hate your favorite team. I also sort of hate most of my favorite teams.

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