The National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced on Saturday that Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres has been suspended for 25 games for striking Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa in the head during Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinal matchup on Tuesday. The suspension will carry over the 2012-13 regular season, if necessary, and Torres will forfeit $21,341.46 in salary for every regular-season he misses due to the ban.
Related: Marian Hossa Injury: Blackhawks RW Will Not Travel To Phoenix
NHL Senior VP Of Player Safety Brendan Shanahan explained the reasoning behind the league's ruling with a video breakdown and point-by-point analysis of Torres' illegal hit. Shanahan pointed out that (1) Torres violated the interference rule because the hit came long after Hossa lost the puck, (2) Torres violated the illegal check and charging rules by targeting Hossa's head and leaving his feet to deliver the check and (3) Torres is a repeat offender on late hits to the head violations. Here is the video:
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