Vancouver’s Jannik Hansen fined and suspended for Marian Hossa hit
BY MARK LAZERUS mlazerus@suntimes.com February 20, 2013 6:52PM
Chicago Blackhawks right wing Marian Hossa, from Slovakia, lays motionless on the ice in front of his bench and is attended to after being hit in the back of the head by Vancouver Canucks right wing Jannik Hansen, from Denmark, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013 in Chicago. The Blackhawks won 4-3 after the shootout phase of overtime. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
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Updated: February 21, 2013 1:32PM
The NHL suspended Vancouver’s Jannik Hansen one game for the blow to Marian Hossa’s head that knocked the Hawks star out of Tuesday’s game early in the third period. The league cited the “reckless” and “careless” nature of the hit, but also the fact that Hansen had never been suspended before in making its decision.
Hossa was trying to grab the puck out of the air when he was hit from behind by Hansen.
“While it might be true that Hansen initially reaches up to play the puck in the air, he changes the position of his arm and delivers a sharp, careless forearm to the back of Hossa’s head,” league discipline czar Brendan Shanahan said.
He also pointed out that Hossa’s hand remained open the whole time, while Hansen closed his into a fist. The suspension will cost Hansen $7,297.30.
