And Speaking On Hitting With Intent To Injur. . . Get ready for one of the toughest suspensions in NHL history after the dirty hit that Boston Bruins defenseman Kyle McLaren laid on Montreal Canadiens winger Richard Zednik. With Montreal trailing by three goals with less than 2 minutes left in the game, Zednik was driving to the net with his head down (mistake number one), when McLaren slid across the right faceoff circle and collided with Zednik -- making sure he led with his elbow.
The result: Zednik's was stopped cold, his head whiplashed back. As he lost his feet, he made contact with the ice first with the back of his head. In the end, he would lay on the ice for eight minutes, eventually being transported to the hospital with a broken jaw, broken nose, and a possible concussion. Needless to say, his injuries will knock him out of the game until at least the start of next season.
Following the game, Montreal coach Michele Therrien vowed that his team would take revenge (real audio link) for the hit on Zednik in game 5 back in Boston.
Last night on NHL2Night, ESPN's Barry Melrose predicted that McLaren is facing a 10-game suspension, but I'm afraid that won't be enough. Zednik is Montreal's leading playoff scorer, and I'm afraid NHL discipline czar Colin Campbell will have to come down hard on McLaren. Look for him to be suspended for the remainder of the playoffs, with a multi-game suspension takced on at the beginning of next season. Anything less would be a travesty.
