No Bertuzzi suspension for hit on Hawks’ Johnson
The NHL decided against suspending Detroit’s Todd Bertuzzi for Monday’s high hit on Blackhawks center Ryan Johnson.
“I talked to the league — no suspension for Bert,” Red Wings general manager Ken Holland told the Detroit Free Press.
Bertuzzi was given a major penalty for elbowing and a game misconduct at 5:17 of the first period after going in high on Johnson, who suffered a cut on his ear. Johnson left the game briefly but returned.
Johnson said Bertuzzi later came to the Hawks’ dressing room and apologized.
“I knew it was a high hit, but I didn’t see it,” Johnson said. “I didn’t think it was malicious or anything. He’s a pretty big guy, and I skate pretty low to the ground.
“I knew I was going to take a hit on the play just to try to make the play, but I haven’t seen it. I’m not going to sit here and judge what it was. I know it wasn’t anything malicious and he was very apologetic and came in here and said ‘sorry.’ That’s it.
“He was very apologetic; came walking right in here and said ‘sorry’ as soon as it happened. I haven’t seen it on tape. Now with the new standard you have to come back and go through the standard tests with the doc quickly and do some things.
“It ripped my ear, the skin, so they had to sew my ear back on. I felt fine and got back out there.”
Double the fun:
With Patrick Sharp sidelined, Marian Hossa can expect to be double-shifted in more games like he was Monday at Detroit.
“On a need basis, but I don’t necessarily do it that much,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said.
“Obviously we have a lot of key players out now,” Hossa said. “He told me he was going to try to get me on two lines.”
Tough turnaround:
The Hawks knew it would be a tough task, going into Boston on Tuesday on the heels of Monday’s emotional win at Detroit.
The Hawks will have two days off now before playing at Columbus on Friday that starts a stretch of four games in six nights.
“The more we play the more we focus on hockey and staying in sync,” Jonathan Toews said.