Anaheim Ducks: Nick Bonino Injured, But Returns After Hit From Behind

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The week from hell continues tonight for the NHL. With suspensions being handed out left and right, including a 15-game ban on Shawn Thornton, we could on our way from seeing another handed out.

During the second period of the Anaheim Ducks-Edmonton Oilers game, Oilers defenseman Corey Potter shoved Ducks’ center Nick Bonino awkwardly into the boards. Bonino’s back was clearly turned to Potter, and with the way he went into the boards, he is lucky he is sitting on the bench.

After struggling to get to his feet, Bonino was able to get to the bench and to the locker room for a brief moment before coming back to the bench, still wincing in pain.

It was a textbook boarding play, that will certainly be reviewed by the league – the only question remains is whether or not Potter will have an in-person hearing or not. Of course, if a player has an in-person hearing that indicates that the suspension will be greater than five games.

Bonino scored the team’s only goal of the night so far, and has been one of the team’s better role players behind Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf.

The Ducks failed to score on the five minute power play for the hit.

Jonas Hiller was also injured in the second, as he took a puck to the neck. He was on the ice briefly but returned.

Anthony Murphy is the Editor at Pucks of a Feather. You can reach him by email amurphy540@pullinamurph.com or follow him on Twitter @AMurphyTFC.