Avs’ McLeod has in-person hearing for scary hit

Colorado Avalanche left winger Cody McLeod is known as one of the grittiest players in the NHL. (Barry Gutierrez/AP)

Colorado Avalanche forward Cody McLeod faces a hearing for a dangerous hit from behind on Detroit Red Wings defenceman Niklas Kronwall in a game Thursday.

McLeod was given a five-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct after hammering Kronwall into the boards in the Red Wings’ zone as the two skated for a loose puck.

Kronwall was stretchered off the ice and it’s uncertain how long the Swede will be out of the Detroit lineup. The Red Wings won the game 4-2, handing the Avalanche their first loss of the 2013-14 season.

The NHL Department of Player Safety offered McLeod an in-person hearing, which means the league can potentially hand out a suspension of more than five games.

McLeod is known as one of the grittiest players in the NHL, but he has never been suspended in his seven-year career.

In seven games this season, the Binscarth, Man., native has one assist and 27 penalty minutes. The 29-year-old has amassed 883 penalty minutes in 403 career games with the Avalanche.

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