NHL Reviewing Wisniewski’s Hit On Seabrook In Wednesday Tilt

New York, NY, United States (AHN) – The NHL is reportedly looking into the hit that Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook suffered from James Wisniewski that knocked him out of Wednesday’s match against the Anaheim Ducks.

Wisniewski received a charging penalty for the hit in the second period.

If a suspension is warranted, it would be before the Anaheim-New York Islanders contest Friday.

However, a NHL head disciplinarian will be attending the Pittsburgh Penguins game Thursday and the decision might not be made before Friday.

The Penguins game is of special interest after forward Matt Cooke flattened Boston center Marc Savard two weeks ago. Cooke didn’t get suspended or receive a penalty.

Savard could be out the rest of the season because he’s suffering from extreme concussion symptoms, ESPN.com reported.

It was a second time the Hawks had one of their defensemen removed from a game because of an illegal hit.

Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin was tagged with a two-game suspension for a hit on Brian Campbell, creating a stir again about the increase in dangerous hits.

“You hit a guy without the puck, you could kill a guy,” Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville told the media about the Wisniewski hit. “It’s the most dangerous hit in the history of the game, all right. He tried to hurt him,” Quenneville added. “If that’s not intent, that’s as bad a hit as you could ever have in the game.”

Wisniewski disputed that it was his intention to hurt his former teammate.

“I’m 5-foot-11 and he’s 6-3. What happened was that my face hit his face,” he said. “The visor came down and cut up my nose. I was shocked when I saw the result of it on the replay.”

---