Predators' Hamhuis calls Hossa's penalty 'a bit light'

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Predators defenseman Dan Hamhuis appears to be fine physically, but emotional baggage remains from his scary crash into the endboards in Game 5 Saturday at the United Center.

"It's a pretty traumatic thing going into the boards top-speed, from five feet away, headfirst," Hamhuis said Monday morning, prior to Game 6 of the Western Conference quarterfinals at Bridgestone Arena. "Whether I'm hurt or not it's still a bit of a shock to go through something like that.

"I'm doing the best I can to put it out of my mind."

The Blackhawks' Marian Hossa received a five-minute major penalty for boarding Hamhuis with 1:03 remaining in the third period of the Hawks' 5-4 overtime win. However, NHL senior vice president Colin Campbell decided against suspending Hossa after reviewing the play and conducting a hearing with the Hawks' right wing Sunday.

"I was a little bit worried because it's an important series and you don't want to watch it from the stands" said Hossa, who scored the game-winning goal 4:07 into overtime of Game 5.

Hamhuis said the penalty against Hossa was "a little bit light. It was a dangerous play."

Hossa made contact with Hamhuis from behind as the two chased the puck inside the goal line. Hamhuis did not return to the game, but said he could have if the teams were at full strength.

"It's a split second," Hossa said. "There was no hit at all; there was just a push. When (Hamhuis) went to play the puck ... he lost his balance. You don't want to see players going down like that. But there was no intention."

Hamhuis said the play was "very similar" to the hit Alex Ovechkin made on Hawks defenseman Brian Campbell March 14, which resulted in a broken clavicle and rib for Campbell. Ovechkin received a two-game suspension. Campbell missed more than five weeks before returning to the lineup ahead of schedule for Game 4 last Thursday.

"In both cases it's a very dangerous place to be hit," said Hamhuis, one of the Predators' top-four defensemen. "In both cases Brian Campbell and I weren't expecting it."

Predators general manager David Poile said Hossa's actions warranted a game misconduct and a suspension.

Colin Campbell cited several reasons for giving Hossa a reprieve, including the fact Hossa's not a "repeat offender."

"It was a good call by the league," said Predators coach Barry Trotz, who wasn't as conciliatory after Game 5. "I'm more worried about stopping the Hossa-Kopecky-Sharp line than I am about any verdict. Marian's a stand-up guy and it was unfortunate. It's fortunate that Dan's fine."

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville predictably said the major penalty was sufficient punishment.

Neither team expected the Hossa-Hamhuis incident to have an effect on Game 6.

"We can't let that negatively affect us, particularly taking penalties trying to get revenge for something," said Hamhuis, who has played in all of Nashville's playoff games in the franchise's history, with No. 27 coming Monday night. "Focus on winning the game is the most important thing."

Hossa was prepared to be the object of the Nashville fans' derision on Monday, much like Chris Chelios was when he played for Detroit.

"I'm going to play my game and try to do the best and we'll see what they come out with," Hossa said before the game. "I'm sure (Nashville's) going to be smart. They're going to play their game and try to win the hockey game."