You all saw what the Chicago Blackhawks‘ Marian Hossa did in game 5 of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. And I’m not talking about his over-time game winning goal.
National Hockey League Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell issued the following statement after conducting a hearing with Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa earlier today into the major penalty for boarding assessed to Hossa in yesterday’s Game 5 of the Conference Quarterfinal series against the Nashville Predators:
“I have made the decision that this play does not warrant supplemental discipline after considering all of the facts, including reviewing the video and speaking with Mr. Hossa. This play is distinguishable from recent incidents by a number of factors, including the degree of contact involved; the fact that the consequences of the play do not appear to be as severe; that this was a hockey play involving a race for the puck; that Mr. Hossa is not a repeat offender and that the call of a major penalty by the Referee was significant and appropriate.”
Interesting take on the topic from this post, I saw on Chicago sports blog Foul Balls, via the Yardbarker network
While opinions in Chicago may be different since Hossa is on the home team, the truth is, there really is no difference between Hossa’s pushing Dan Hamhuis from behind and what Alex Ovechkin did to Brian Campbell back in March. Sure, it didn’t look like much, and Hossa probably was just trying to knock him off balance so he could get to the puck, but when skating at full speed like that, the slightest shove can wreak a lot of havoc.
And you saw that when Hamhuis went head first into the boards and crumpled to the ground.