Hansen Only Gets A One Game Suspension For Hit On Hossa

Feb 19, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Marian Hossa (81) leaves the game after being injured by Vancouver Canucks right wing Jannik Hansen (not pictured) as head coach Joel Quenneville looks on during the third period at the United Center. The Chicago Blackhawks beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 in the shootout. The Blackhawks tied an NHL record for scoring at least one point in 16 consecutive games to open a season. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

When Duncan Keith elbowed Daniel Sedin last spring I called for a 2 game suspension for what was a dirty hit that is not excusable.  I was off by 3 games because even though Keith didn’t have any priors on his hockey resume, Brendan Shanahan still gave Keith a 5 game suspension. 

Last night Jannick Hansen made another dirty inexcusable elbow to the head of an opponent.  First off not to defend Keith but Sedin had made a run at Keith and no penalty was called so he wrongly took justice into  his own hands.  Last night Hossa had scored two goals, the second one undressing the entire Canucks defense so there was no retaliation coming except due to embarrassment.  It is extremely hard to catch a puck in midair when you are planting an elbow into someones head.  It could have been accidental if this was against the Blue Jackets, but this was the Vancouver Canucks and there are no accidents.

What happened last night ,within a stone’s throw from last season Raffi Torres hit, is a play that shouldn’t happen and there should be real discplined enforced.  What makes it worse was listening to the Canucks play by play crew that said the hit was ok.  I’m all for homer announcers! I want Pat Foley doing every game I watch, but to say that the hit was ok is ludicrous. Not only that when the game headed towards O.T they were talking about how courageous a game Hansen played in the third period. Courageous really?!?  this is unacceptable even from a home brewing point of view.  Even if Hansen has no history it was a bad hit just like Keith’s was a year ago. You didn’t read how Quenneville was upset that a hearing was called or Chicago sports writers saying that Sedin is as fragile as the Christmas story Lamp.  Everyone in town knew Keith was in the wrong.  Wake up Vancouver!! The Hansen hit is not a part of hockey in 2013.

Here is the Shanahan video  which explains why Hansen only gets a ONE game suspension. Shanahan and consistency are not synonymous! Equal punishment should be what is enforced and Hansen should have received a 5 game suspension, but he skates away with a one game slap on the wrist! 

As one Hawks fan said on Twitter it didn’t matter because the Hawks don’t see the Canucks until April, and hopefully Hossa will return to the ice healthy well before April’s contest! Get well soon and Get back on the ice soon Hossa!

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