NHL looking into Wisniewski's hit

ESPNChicago.com

The NHL is looking into James Wisniewski's hit that knocked Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook out of Wednesday night's game against the Anaheim Ducks.

Wisniewski, a defenseman and former Blackhawk, received a charging penalty for the hit in the second period.

"It is being looked into," NHL spokesperson Julie Young said Thursday. "If there is a suspension, it has to be done before the next game, unless the player is suspended until further notice."

The Ducks' next game is Friday at home against the New York Islanders.

"If it's a fine, you won't hear about it unless you get it from the club," Young said.

NHL head disciplinarian Colin Campbell is out of the office to attend the Pittsburgh Penguins game against the Bruins in Boston -- a game that will be under much scrutiny because Penguins forward Matt Cooke leveled Bruins center Marc Savard in a game two weeks ago. Savard is still suffering from extensive post-concussion symptoms, including nausea, headaches and a sensitivity to light; Cooke was not called for a penalty or suspended.

"So I can't guarantee there will be an announcement by the end of the day," Young said.

It's the second time in as many contests that a Blackhawks defenseman has been knocked out of a game by an illegal hit. Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin is serving a two-game suspension for a hit on Brian Campbell that fractured his clavicle and a rib. Campbell is expected to miss seven to eight weeks.

"You hit a guy without the puck, you could kill a guy," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said of Wisniewski hit on Seabrook. "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."

After the game, Wisniewski anticipated the hit would be reviewed by the league.

"It probably will get looked at, but the result wasn't because of a shot to the head," he said. "I'm 5-foot-11 and he's 6-3. What happened was that my face hit his face. The visor came down and cut up my nose. I was shocked when I saw the result of it on the replay.

"I didn't do anything wrong," Wisniewski added. "The result of what happened isn't good, but there wasn't anything wrong that I did."