A scary incident in the dying seconds of the second period of Friday’s game between the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks saw Kyle Palmieri receive a five-minute major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct for his hit on Johnny Oduya.
At first glance, Palmieri appeared to have knocked Oduya’s head into the top of the boards along the Ducks bench, but upon further review it’s safe to say the officials made the correct call and the Ducks forward should not face any further discipline.
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Oduya turned at the last second and found himself in the unfortunate position of going into the boards low. Palmieri, who was certainly in the wrong for boarding and borderline charging, made his initial contact with Oduya’s shoulder.
Oduya was left bloodied following the play, but he did return to the game.
Palmieri has a clean history, and the fact that replay shows that it wasn’t exactly malicious on his part, should keep him out of hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety.
