TORONTO (March 9, 2011) – National Hockey League Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Mike Murphy today issued the following statement on Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara’s hit in NHL game #996 last night against the Montreal Canadiens:
“I conducted a hearing with Boston Bruins’ defenseman Zdeno Chara with respect to the major penalty for interference and game misconduct that he was assessed at 19:44 of the second period for a hit on Max Pacioretty of the Montreal Canadiens.
“After a thorough review of the video I can find no basis to impose supplemental discipline. This hit resulted from a play that evolved and then happened very quickly — with both players skating in the same direction and with Chara attempting to angle his opponent into the boards. I could not find any evidence to suggest that, beyond this being a correct call for interference, that Chara targeted the head of his opponent, left his feet or delivered the check in any other manner that could be deemed to be dangerous.
“This was a hockey play that resulted in an injury because of the player colliding with the stanchion and then the ice surface. In reviewing this play, I also took into consideration that Chara has not been involved in a supplemental discipline incident during his 13-year NHL career.”
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Bgvince says
Chara has not been involved in a supplemental discipline incident during his 13-year NHL career?? Id say this could have been the first! Shame on the NHL. Did we not learn anything from the Bertuzi Moore incident. The players will work it out but Chara deserves a stick in the chops.
Bgvince says
Chara has not been involved in a supplemental discipline incident during his 13-year NHL career?? Id say this could have been the first! Shame on the NHL. Did we not learn anything from the Bertuzi Moore incident. The players will work it out but Chara deserves a stick in the chops.
Mrenko says
Figures!!!! the big bully needs to criminally charged then!!! that was not normal play for hockey. The guy has a cracked neck and a serious head injury…Chara if your reading your a big huge bully and LOSER!!!
Mrenko says
Figures!!!! the big bully needs to criminally charged then!!! that was not normal play for hockey. The guy has a cracked neck and a serious head injury…Chara if your reading your a big huge bully and LOSER!!!
Omri Davies says
Just a thought about Bettmans nuetrality in defending Murphy and his decision. Bettman is Murphy’s second cousin. Looks like someone protecting a family member to me. I watched the hit on CNN while in Haiti. Is an interference play when the puck is ten yards away finishing a normal hockey check? Is lifting your elbow to the head which the film clearly showed completing a normal hockey play? I say put Murphy on the stand in court and have a lawyer destroy his reasoning.
Omri Davies says
Just a thought about Bettmans nuetrality in defending Murphy and his decision. Bettman is Murphy’s second cousin. Looks like someone protecting a family member to me. I watched the hit on CNN while in Haiti. Is an interference play when the puck is ten yards away finishing a normal hockey check? Is lifting your elbow to the head which the film clearly showed completing a normal hockey play? I say put Murphy on the stand in court and have a lawyer destroy his reasoning.