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Bruins forward Shawn Thornton will be appealing his 15-game suspension handed down by the National Hockey League. The NHL suspended Thornton for his attack on Penguins defenceman Brooks Orpik. After the whistle, Thornton skated the length of the ice, pulled Orpik to the ice from behind and punched him in the face several times. Orpik suffered a concussion and was taken to hospital. The Appeal Process As a first step, Thornton will appeal the suspension to Commissioner Gary Bettman. He hears all appeals on league discipline. Since the suspension exceeds five games, Bettman is required to have an in-person hearing for Thornton. Since Thornton was at the NHL office last week for his disciplinary hearing, he should know his way around by now. The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) provides that "the Commissioner shall endeavor to hear all appeals on an expedited basis and will determine whether the decision" is supported by clear and convincing evidence. So Bettman will get this done quickly and will assess whether the suspension makes sense based on the circumstances. Thornton should expect to fail on appeal to Bettman. The suspension was handed down by the Director of Player Safety Brendan Shanahan. However, given the complex legal implications of this case, particularly in light of the concussion lawsuits, the suspension was very likely a group effort. So the suspension wasnt a Shanahan decision as much as it was a league decision issued through Shanahan. As a result, its unlikely Bettman will reduce the suspension. Frankly, reductions by Bettman are unlikely in most circumstances. He runs the league so he wont contradict himself. Indeed, the NHLPA has probably told Thornton the prospects of success are bleak. And this brings us to the next stage in the appeal process. Appeal Number 2 It doesnt end with Bettman. Since the suspension exceeds five games, the CBA gives Thornton the right to appeal Bettmans decision to an independent arbitrator. This wasnt around in the old CBA and is brand new, thanks to the NHLPAs negotiations during the lockout. Thornton will have seven days to appeal Bettmans decision to the arbitrator (who is described as a "Neutral Discipline Arbitrator" in the CBA). There will once again be an in-person hearing, and while the CBA doesnt say when it must occur, the arbitrator needs to hear it on an "expedited basis". So again, relatively quickly. The arbitrator will consider the length of the suspension and whether its appropriate. That determination will be made by examining things like the incident, the leagues past practice, the evidence and the surrounding circumstances. The arbitrator has broad powers. The CBA gives the arbitrator "full remedial authority", which means he can reduce the suspension, leave it as is, or even increase it. Its unlikely, though, the suspension would ever be increased. If Thornton is unhappy with the decision of the arbitrator, his only recourse would be to challenge the ruling in court. However, a judge will not interfere with the arbitrators decision unless its completely outrageous. Effectively, then, you should consider the arbitrators decision final. To be clear, Thornton doesnt have to appeal Bettmans ruling to the arbitrator. If he wants, after the Commissioner rules on his case, he can decide to stop the appeal process and serve out what is left of his suspension. As I wrote here, Thorntons prospects of success on appeal are low, given the NHLs past practice when it comes to these types of incidents. As well, the NHL may be able to make a compelling case that this type of suspension represents an important deterrent for on-ice behaviour that puts players at risk for concussions and the irreversible brain damage that may flow from head shots. However, merits aside, I also noted that we could still see an appeal. Since independent arbitrators are new, the NHLPA may want to start building precedents to help guide them in future cases. As well, the NHLPA needs to show that it wont roll over when it comes to defending its players and that it is prepared to dig in and fight. So while this case does not present a high likelihood of success for Thornton, the NHLPA sees value in taking a stand. And as it should. As for Brooks Orpik, he may not be too happy with the NHLPA defending his attacker. Still, the NHLPA may draw the fine distinction that the appeal is not adverse to Orpik, but rather adverse to the NHL and its decision. So the Union isnt technically acting against one of its own, but instead acting on behalf of one of its own. That is a distinction that may not sit well with Orpik. However, thats the nature of the NHLPA beast. 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Ashley Wagner will skate in the womens short program for a U.S. team thats in seventh place. Davis and White won the silver medal at the Vancouver Games and are two-time world champions. GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Mired by mistakes, the Seattle Seahawks still slogged out a win at Lambeau Field. After steamrolling over their first two preseason opponents, the Seahawks nearly tripped themselves up in a 17-10 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Friday night. All the pushing and shoving, and the penalties -- 14 for Seattle, and 22 for both teams -- in part overshadowed Seattles victory in a matchup of NFC heavyweights. "We really looked at it as an opportunity to take the challenge of getting on the road and getting a win," Carroll said. "But the distractions of giving up 180-something yards in penalties is ridiculous and hard to deal with and feel like you played well." It was exactly 182 yards in penalties, in fact for the Seahawks. Thankfully for Carroll, two backups came up big. Christine Michael ran for 97 yards on 11 carries and Stephen Williams snatched a ball away from cornerback Loyce Means in the end zone for a 42-yard touchdown catch and the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter. Michael had a 43-yard touchdown run in the third quarter for the Seahawks (3-0), who stayed unbeaten but didnt look like the team that routed Denver and San Diego the previous two weeks. For Michael, it was another impressive preseason performance after sitting out last week due to back spasms. Michael ran for 89 yards on 16 carries in the first preseason game against San Diego. "We were kind of beating ourselves with the penalties," Michael said Friday. "But it was a hump we had to get over, we did and we came out with the victory." The Packers Vince Young, vying for the backup job behind starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers, orchestrated an 11-play, 80-yard drive in the third quarter that ended with a 1-yard touchdown pass to backup fullback Jonathan Amosa to tie it at 10. Young was 6 of 7 for 41 yards and ran three times 31 yards, keeping plays alive with his legs as if he was running around in a Texas Longhorns uniform again. Rodgers looked fine in his only series, Green Bays sole possession of the first quarter. He finished 4 of 7 for 41 yards, including a 22-yard connection to tight end Jermichael Finley to the Seattle 24 to help set up Mason Crosbys 38-yard field goal. The Packers (1-2) pulled most of their starters by the second quarter as coach Mike McCarthy sought to get more evaluations on backups with roster cut-down deadlines approaching. "We want to win the game, we wanted to win tonight, especially at home, but there was more information that was needed," McCarthy said. This game instead will be remembered for some defence, and a hhost of mistakes and sloppy play -- not exactly what Carroll or McCarthy were looking for with the regular season a little more than two weeks away.dddddddddddd Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, returning to the state where he turned into a college star at Wisconsin, finished 11 of 17 for 126 yards but threw two interceptions, including a pass tipped by two defenders that landed in the opportunistic hands of Casey Hayward. "The good thing is we won the game. The disappointing part is the turnovers," Wilson said. "I can never do that. I think thats my main focus." Wilson looked in midseason form on the opening series against the Packers first-string defence in the first quarter, guiding Seattle to the 9 by gaining chunks of yardage on long pass plays. But running back Robert Turbin was stuffed on first down. Then, the 5-foot-10 Turbin was overmatched on the edge trying to block 6-foot-3 linebacker Clay Matthews, who sacked Wilson. Seattle settled for Steven Hauschkas 27-yard field goal. "Obviously, that was a big emphasis for us last year and even more so this year, is limiting his ability to create plays by running out of the pocket," Matthews said at halftime. "Hes going to make his plays, but I felt for the most part, not only myself, but as a rushing unit, we did a good job of keeping him bottled up in the pocket, forcing some errant throws and getting after him." The Seahawks have been a chic pick to get to the Super Bowl, especially after beating their first two preseason opponents by a combined score of 71-20. Big plays propelled Seattle last week to a 40-10 rout of the Broncos. But penalties weighed down both teams on a warm evening, especially the Seahawks. They had twice as many penalties (six) as points in a chippy first half. Perhaps memories of last years meeting between the teams sparked the pushing and shoving that marked much of the evening. The game on Sept. 24 ended with Golden Tates disputed touchdown catch after tussling for the ball with Packers safety M.D. Jennings that was upheld on review by replacement officials. That moment will forever be remembered as the tipping point that got the regular officials back on the field. Tate didnt do much in limited time at Lambeau. He caught one pass for 4 yards, and was booed by the Packers faithful after being announced as the punt returner over the stadium loudspeakers. Asked if there was any carry-over from last years game, Jennings said: "I cant speak for anyone else. Last year was last year. The only thing is we showed up tonight to play Packer football." ' ' '