Wednesday's NHL Spreadsheet

The Islanders' James Wisniewski is suspended two games for his lewd gesture toward the Rangers' Sean Avery on Monday. A great number of hockey blogs are outraged that there was a suspension. Judging by the Maxim-esque level of reader comments, and blog posts that focus on the day-off antics of one NHL team's ice girls crew, you can imagine where the disconnect is regarding suspensions for classless acts.

A blog post hints at the hypocrisy of penalizing said acts when on-ice fighting is still allowed. OK, I can live without fighting. So what's your next card?

Seriously, I can expect any number of classless gestures from players at the lower levels (schoolboy, junior) because they are kids and they are still hopefully learning how to play the game and conduct themselves in a proper manner.

I draw the line at professionals -- and just think for a minute what that word implies -- who act like amateurs. And this from a guy who has thrown his share of tantrums or chairs. You learn or you go home. I have learned, and it is time for Wisniewski and for his fellow professionals to maintain a level of decorum that elevates their professional game above that of the house league or kids league game. (And it's not just hockey. Even in the newspaper/communications industry, there is a serious disconnect regarding professional standards.)

Am I worried about having to explain this to children. Seems like kids understand what this gesture and many of them mean. Seems like these kids also might expect that you cannot get away with these actions at work. So it comes down to adults: The "Jackass" movie franchise generation, or the disciples of Jean Béliveau, a class act and a champion.

As a wee piker of a kid, I saw Béliveau play and learned the definition of a professional. Perhaps more of the current class could use some time in Béliveau's company.

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Tuesday
Colorado 5, at Detroit 4 SO
At Los Angeles 3, Atlanta 1
Roundup is here.
Summaries are here.
Standings are here.
Three stars by Puck Daddy.
Stats analysis by Sportsnet.