http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/news/story?id=5135262

TORONTO -- Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa avoided a suspension from the NHL for his hit on Nashville defenseman Dan Hamhuis and will be in the lineup for Game 6 of the first-round, Western Conference series.

NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell conducted a hearing with Hossa on Sunday and decided that no further penalty would be assessed. Hossa was spared, in part, because he is not a repeat offender.

Hossa shoved Hamhuis from behind into the boards Saturday and drew a major penalty late in regulation that carried into overtime. Hossa returned to the ice and scored the winning goal on his first shift back, giving Chicago a 5-4 victory and a 3-2 series lead.

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"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, the NHL's executive vice president and director of hockey operations.

Hamhuis said Sunday that he is sore, but added that he expects to play in Game 6 at Nashville on Monday night.

Predators coach Barry Trotz compared the hit on Hamhuis to one delivered by Washington's Alex Ovechkin that injured Blackhawks defenseman Brian Campbell last month. Campbell broke his collarbone on the play, and Ovechkin was given a two-game suspension.

"This play is distinguishable from recent incidents by a number of factors," Campbell said, "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."

Because Ovechkin was also suspended for two games earlier this season for a knee-to-knee hit on Carolina defenseman Tim Gleason, he was punished more harshly for his hit on Campbell because of his status as a repeat offender.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

This is bullshit.

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mechaphil

This was worse than what Ovechkin did to Campbell. I don't know how it didn't warrant a suspension, let alone a game misconduct.

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I don't think it was worse, though it was vary similar.

Hossa said that he didn't mean to ride him into the boards and that the contact was largely inadvertent.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Just as i expected.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

Not a repeat offender means he didn't board anyone on the way to his disciplinary hearing.

Lesson for all the kids? If you get REALLY good at your sport, you don't have to play by the same rules as everyone else.

I was viewing it as a shove from behind while the opposing player was facing the boards. And instead of doing it at the faceoff circle, Hossa did it just a few feet away from the boards.

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I actually believe Hossa when he says he was starting to go down and just braced himself against Hamhuis not intending to send him flying into the boards. Not sure what that means, but I believe him.


We all know Ovechkin was giving a guy a shot just for the sake of giving a guy a shot on Campbell.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Really??? Hossa did not nearly hit Hamhuis as hard as OV did to Campbell.

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just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

It's not always how hard. It's often where.

(THAT"S WHAT SHE SAID.)

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just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

So why hasn't the NHL just come out and said "We won't suspend non-goons in the playoffs because it would create an unfair advantage for the opposing team" yet?

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"Call a cop he robbed Delmore blind!!!"
Rick Jeanerette after Marty Biron's diving save back in 2000.

"I'm going to go to the spa and have a hot tub and massage and relax," Miller said. "That's it, and it's back to work tomorrow." Ryan Miller after clinching the North East division.

This is a joke. Just like this league.

Yep

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just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

*Yawn. Figures.

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Wheelhouse

i have to side with CV (and Hossa i guess). While Hossa did push him, it wasnt nearly as vicious as Ovies hit on Cambell.

when i look at the video i see 2 players skating hard to get to the puck, the trailing player pushing the leading player a bit (to where if they werent moving it would hardly move the guy) causing him to get his balance thrown off and he goes flying.


Saying that this is just as bad or worse then Ovies hit is like saying that Gooses slash to Chara was as bad as Boychucks slash on Vanek.

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Check out my website: http://www.artistzero.com

"That wasn't very nice...I do believe you killed my hat."

Driver of the FIRE LINDY RUFF Bandwagon since 2008.

I don't see the shoving motion in Hossa's hit that I see in Ov's. OV was obviously pushing him forward but Hossa seems to be more cruising in behind him than trying to shove him into the boards.

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If you really watch the video it doesn't seem like much of a push.

I suppose it may not matter, but it wasn't a hard push, and it certainly wasn't a hard check into the boards from behind.

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Keep your eyes focused this time. Keep us infront of your sights. I've waited long for this; our time to shine, I just hope we have the time.

It was the same as the OV hit to me.

OIV didn't mean for Campbell to go into the boards either but he still did, same here.

To me it seems like both of these plays was just an attempt to say HEY, I'm here so you better watch out.

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