SB Nation Chicago - Blackhawks' Niklas Hjalmarsson Speaks On Monday's Hit On Jason Pominvillehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48877/chicago-fave.png2010-10-13T13:12:13-05:00http://chicago.sbnation.com/rss/stream/15120492010-10-13T13:12:13-05:002010-10-13T13:12:13-05:00Blackhawks' Niklas Hjalmarsson: 'It Was Too Hard Of A Hit'
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<p><span>Niklas Hjalmarsson</span> of the Blackhawks, suspended for two games by the <span class="caps">NHL</span> for his hit on the Sabres’ Jason Pominville Monday night, <a href="http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/10/blackhawks-hjalmarsson-reacts-to-suspension.html" target="_blank">had these comments on the hit and the suspension:</a></p>
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<p>“If I could turn back time I probably would have acted different,” Hjalmarsson said. “You can’t do that. You have to make decisions fast out there.”</p>
<p>Hjalmarrson had a hearing with <span class="caps">NHL</span> on Tuesday to give his take on the incident.</p>
<p>“It was too hard of a hit, I guess,” Hjalmarsson said. "Maybe I should have considered (Pominville) being in a vulnerable position and not hit him as hard. That’s what they said.</p>
<p>“I really didn’t mean to hurt Jason. That’s not the way I play. Maybe I went in too hard. Maybe I didn’t. It’s tough to say. It’s a little bit tough to know what to do or not to do. The bottom line is you have to have respect for the guys you play and maybe I hit him a little bit too hard.”</p>
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<p>Let’s hope this is the final word on this and that the Sabres don’t feel they “have” to retaliate — that could escalate this into an ugly war.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-blackhawks/2010/10/13/1749263/blackhawks-niklas-hjalmarsson-hit-suspension-reactionAl Yellon2010-10-12T19:39:46-05:002010-10-12T19:39:46-05:00Blackhawks' Hjalmarsson Suspended For Two Games
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<p>The NHL today suspended Blackhawks defenseman <span>Niklas Hjalmarsson</span> for two games <a href="http://www.csnchicago.com/10/12/10/NHL-suspends-Hjalmarsson-two-games-for-h/landing.html?blockID=330031&feedID=768" target="_blank">for his hit in last night's game on the Sabres's Jason Pominville:</a></p>
<blockquote>The hit occurred early in the first period of the Blackhawks’ 4-3 victory over the Sabres on Monday night. Pominville lay motionless for several minutes before being carried off on a stretcher. Pominville is out indefinitely after suffering a concussion and a cut over his eye, which required several stitches. Hjalmarsson was given a five-minute boarding penalty as well as a game misconduct.</blockquote>
<p>CSN Chicago's article linked above says that the Blackhawks may have to watch it in their rematch with the Sabres at the United Center on Saturday:</p>
<blockquote>The Sabres were angry about the hit. Sabres forward <span>Patrick Kaleta</span> told the Buffalo News Tuesday afternoon, prior to the decision, that “it’ll get taken care of either with the league, or I think we play them Saturday so we’ll make it a point that you can’t be taking hits like that against one of our leaders and one of the better players on our team.”</blockquote>
<p>Let's hope it doesn't come to that.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/2010/10/12/2322483/blackhawks-hjalmarsson-suspended-for-two-gamesAl Yellon