Tootoo Punches Robidas Mar 17, 2007

Jordin Tootoo after checking Mike Modano of the Dallas Stars turns and sees Stephane Robidas charging at him for retribution. Tootoo swings at Robidas and knocks him out with one punch. Tootoo received a double roughing penalty and Robidas received a charging penalty and a concussion.

At first I thought...wow..I have I lost respect for Jordin Tootoo but after seeing the full clip my opinion has slightly changed. He certainly did go too far in swinging the way he did but at the same time it was a self-defense response to a charging Robidas. Had he just taken a hit from Robidas he probably would've ended up in the boards.

Tootoo ended up with a 5 game suspension...Modano with nothing for swinging his stick after the punch. It was a strange combination of events and blame is a tough finger to point in this one. In general, and most people know, that many NHLers have a great deal of difficulty keeping tempers in check and serious injuries are occurring as a result.