James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Last night, New York Islanders defenseman Thomas Hickey took what was likely an unintentional hit to the head from Capitals forward Marcus Johansson. After the game, Caps head coach Barry Trotz called it “a hockey play”, while Johansson said he didn’t expect it to result in a punishment.
Hickey himself even said that he doesn’t believe Johansson intended to try and hurt him. This morning, however, the NHL’s Player Safety announced that the 25-year old had a hearing for the hit.
For the Capitals, a suspension would be coming at the worst possible time. Having already lost third-line center Jay Beagle to a hand injury, defensemen John Carlson and Brooks Orpik to lower-body injuries, the NHL then suspended call-up Zach Sill for two games after a hit to Boston’s Adam McQuaid. Losing one of the team’s most productive players now would be devastating. At the moment, no further information has been released.
By Michael Fleetwood
If the player who got hit didn’t expect additional punishment or discipline for Marcus Johannson I wouldn’t expect a significant suspension from the hit.
I would hope so, but by rule, a shoulder to the head, left his skates, I don’t think its going to go well for MoJo. Fingers crossed.
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