The Anaheim Ducks‘ dominant 4-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks seemed to be a breeze for the Ducks, who appear to be fully healthy and healed after the well deserved All-Star break; however, a hit by Ryan Kesler last night on Canucks forward Derek Dorsett was a call for concern for many fans up north when news broke that Kesler would not be having a disciplinary hearing.
Yet for Kesler, the hit, which appeared to be a blow to the head of Dorsett, was merely incidental.
"“All I know is I was going for the puck and I felt him hit. I hope he’s all right. It’s a fast game out there. I was just going for the puck, trying to make a hockey play. I didn’t even see him I just saw the puck and he kind of ran into me. It wasn’t malicious at all.”"
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Yet for players on the Canucks bench like Henrik Sedin, seeing an admired teammate become the recipient of a big hit by a former friend now turned foe, Ryan Kesler, was frustrating, especially considering the fact that no penalty was called despite the fact that Dorsett did not return to the contest.
Henrik Sedin isn’t the only Canadian resident to feel that the hit was malicious. An article by TSN, the Canadian ESPN, was titled: “C’mon Ref”, in regards to the fact that Kesler was not penalized, thus representing the views of the Canucks fans, who felt the contact was a malign hit.
As of now, however, Kesler will not have a hearing on the hit, per the Orange County register’s Eric Stephens; however, the NHL Department of Player Safety has time to take action (should it be necessary) until the Ducks face their Pacific Division rivals, the San Jose Sharks.
Told by a league source that no hearing is expected for Ducks center Ryan Kesler for his hit on Vancouver's Derek Dorsett.
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) January 28, 2015
So, what do you all think? Dirty hit or not?
OTHER NEWS AND NOTES
The Ducks will conclude first major test of the All-Star Break. Though it started well against the Canucks, the Ducks turned in a disappointing performance against the San Jose Sharks and must bounce back against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Ducks then get the Carolina Hurricanes before embarking on a five-game road trip that begins with games against the Nashville Predators, the Washington Capitals, and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Games like these are the ones both the Ducks and Ducks fans live for. After these games are over, both the rest of the league and the Ducks will know where league-leading team stands.