Postgame Avs-Sharks, Game 2 – Suspend Rob Blake

SAN JOSE – He’s always been one of my favorite guys to deal with, and truly is a class guy, but I don’t play favorites when it comes to what happens on the ice. After the last time Rob Blake hurt a guy with a hit (Peter Mueller), I called it just part of hockey, not a dirty hit. But not tonight. Blake’s cross-check/punch to the face of TJ Galiardi in overtime of tonight’s 6-5 Sharks win was a dirty cheap shot, and worthy of a suspension. Blake absolutely should be suspended by the NHL for that hit. Will that happen? Probably not. Because, Galiardi emerged apparently uninjured on the hit – although because it was one to the head, the effects of injury may not show up right away. As far as I could tell, Galiardi was OK after the game, so the NHL front office might just let it slide because the victim of a dirty hit didn’t need a stretcher to leave the ice. That doesn’t excuse any of it. I know the Avs were hot after the game over the UNP...