First off this is the right call, in my opinion. Marian Hossa isn’t known as a cheap player nor is he a repeat offender and he isn’t going to be confused with a Matt Cooke or Daniel Carcillo type player/hack. While the coach of the Nashville Predators head coach Barry Trotz compared the hit on Hamhuis to one delivered by Washington's Alex Ovechkin that injured Blackhawks defenseman Brian Campbell last month. Whatever, the Predators coach is entitled to his opinion (no matter how flawed) the Marian Hossa hit on Predators Dan Hamhuis was not the same hit as the Alexander Ovechkin hit on Brian Campbell. There are not even the same type of hit. The Hossa hit was a push check or a shove the hit by Ovechkin was a blatant boarding/hit from behind.
I am not saying that I approve of the hit in question because I don’t, in watching the video (included above) it was a dangerous hit but I don’t think it’s worthy of a suspension. Also, I don’t think the NHL has to issue a suspension on every major penalty. If Hossa replicated the act again soon I would expect a suspension because they he would be a repeat offender.
The NHL said on Sunday that Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa won't be suspended for the major boarding infraction he incurred in Game 5 against the Nashville Predators.
Colin Campbell issued a statment after a hearing explaining the decision.
"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," said Campbell. "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."
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