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Duncan Keith accepts six-game suspension from NHL

Josh Cooper

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith was apologetic when discussing how he high-sticked Minnesota Wild forward Charlie Coyle in the face.

In his first public comments since the Tuesday incident that landed Keith a six-game suspension (which includes Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs), the defending Conn Smythe Trophy winner said he would do his best to make sure he wouldn’t commit a similar act again.

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"I think I’m going to have to," Keith told reporters. "It’s just knowing that line and I feel yeah, I’m a competitive person but I don’t think that’s something that I can’t stop. I think I can stop that. Move on and move forward and when I come back be as good as I can be."

Keith also said he wouldn’t appeal the suspension.

"It's a fast game and it was obviously a reaction and one that I need to be disciplined," Keith said. "We talked about that as a team and things like that. Obviously I think there’s a limit there and I gotta know that. I will." 

The suspension adds to Keith’s Department of Player Safety rap sheet. He was suspended one game during the 2013 Western Conference Final for a “retaliatory” high-stick on Los Angeles Kings forward Jeff Carter. He was also suspended five games for an elbow to the head of Vancouver Canucks winger Daniel Sedin in 2012. The suspension for the Carter high stick was referenced in Keith’s most recent suspension video.

Keith said he called Coyle and left a message. The forward then called Keith back and they talked about the play.

"I was appreciative of that," Keith said. "It says a lot about the player and type of guy he is. That’s about it. They’ve got a good team and they’re playing well. I wished him the best after."

After it happened Coyle spoke about the play and said there was no place for it in hockey according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

“There shouldn’t be,’’ he said. ‘’No matter what happens in a game. You shouldn’t swing your stick at someone’s face like that. That goes from when you were a Mite. Keep your stick on the ice, right? So obviously there is no room for that. And I’m sure he wants to take it back. Heat of the moment thing. That’s how it happened.’’

Since the play, some have pointed out that Keith is a dirty player. He also responded to those critics.

"I try to play the game hard, and I think, you know, for the amount of minutes I play, the games I play, I feel I play the game hard," Keith said. "At the end of the day, I try to leave it on the ice. I’m not really focused on what I’m trying to leave out there as far as a reputation. I think everybody wants to have a reputation as a clean, honest player. There’s a line and a limit. It’s just being smarter and knowing that."

After going through a stretch where they had won one of six games, the Blackhawks have won three of four. On Friday they beat the Winnipeg Jets 5-4 in overtime to put a stronger hold on third place in the Central Division. This means they’re most likely to play the Dallas Stars or St. Louis Blues in the first-round of the playoffs without Keith in Game 1.

"Obviously you don’t want to put the team in that situation," Keith said. "That’s the tough part, but I think we’ve got, I know we’ve got a lot of great defensemen and we’ve got a good team in here that we’ve had experience, whether it was missing guys, forwards, defensemen, goalies who’ve been out, guys pick up the slack. Whoever we play in playoffs, it’s going to be a tough series and it’s going to be — every game’s going to be hard-fought. I’ll be excited to come back for Game 2."

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!