Reaves did not skate into the hit, but Hronek was picking up speed and as he turned his head up ice and was met by Reaves' shoulder. The main point of contact for this hit was Hronek's head, unfortunately. Reaves did not receive any penalty on the play, but depending how the NHL's Department of Player Safety viewss the hit - whether it was a follow-through of a hit (deemed it isn't necessarily suspendable under the rulebook) or if they focus on the primary point of contact, in this case, Hronek's head.
Hronek left the game with a concussion and did not return. It will be interesting to see which precedent the Department of Player Safety follows for this hit.
POLL | ||
15 DECEMBRE | 260 ANSWERS Ryan Reaves is looking at a lengthy suspension following a massive open ice hit How many games will Reaves get for this nasty hit on Hronek? | ||
0-1 | 131 | 50.4 % |
2-3 | 57 | 21.9 % |
4-5 | 28 | 10.8 % |
More than 5 | 44 | 16.9 % |
List of polls |