Phoenix Coyotes’ Martin Hanzal handed down one-game suspension -NHL Playoffs Update
Phoenix Coyotes’ captain, Shane Doan, might have gotten luck by avoiding a suspension, but Martin Hanzal was not. The Coyotes’ forward has been banned for Game 3 of the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Stanley Cup Western Conference Playoff Finals for boarding
Los Angeles Kings’ forward, Dustin Brown, in Game 2.
Doan faced a five and 10 minute major penalty for boarding as well but Hanzal’s incident was seen to be more harsh on Brown, which could have seriously injured the player but fortunately, he got up to continue playing.
The incident occurred a little over midway through the third and final period of regulation during Game 2 in which Martin Hanzal rammed Dustin Brown into the sideboards while he was attempting to take control of the puck.
Had the attack been something Brown could have seen and attempted to avoid would have let Hanzal off the hook but being in a vulnerable position led to the suspension as the NHL cracks down on illegal hits, especially targeted those which are targeted to
the head.
The NHL’s chief disciplinarian, senior vice president for player safety and hockey operations, Brendan Shanahan made the announcement through a video explaining the incident on Wednesday, May 16, 2012.
"Hanzal is directly behind Brown and his vision is focused on Brown," Shanhan said. "Hanzal then recklessly initiates the check from behind into the boards. He does not avoid contact and does not attempt to minimize."
Los Angeles Kings’ players came out of the game, targeting Hanzal and hoping for a two or more game suspension, which would have put Phoenix in a vulnerable situation seeing how they already have lost the first two matchups at home and need all the firepower
they can get.
"Brown does not significantly turn his body just prior to, or simultaneously with contact," Shanahan added. "He also does not suddenly change direction in a manner that contributed to the dangerous nature of this forceful hit from behind. Furthermore, after
chipping the puck from the blue line, Brown does not possess, or even touch it again."
Playing without Martin Hanzal will definitely be at a disadvantage which they will have to work around come Game 3.
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