Exactly 60 seconds into the third period of Wednesday's game between the Blue Jackets and Maple Leafs, Toronto defenseman Roman Polak was ejected for this hit on Oliver Bjorkstrand:
There is absolutely nothing good about this hit. Polak gets a major and is ejected for boarding Bjorkstrand. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/hoEP3SgIao
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 23, 2017
The NHL's player safety department announced late Wednesday that Polak would have a disciplinary hearing for the hit. Bjorkstrand was down on the ice for a couple of minutes before leaving the game. He did not return, and Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella had no immediate update on his status after the game.
Tortorella was furious with NHL officials after the penalty was assessed - not because of the penalty, but because of a few dangerous hits that preceded the Polak major. Tortorella appeared to believe that a lack of calls earlier in the game made it easier for Polak to level a dangerous hit on Bjorkstrand.
UPDATE: The NHL announced Thursday afternoon that Polak would face a two-game suspension.
Torontos Roman Polak suspended two games for boarding Columbus Oliver Bjorkstrand. https://t.co/pHvhFoOaZW
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) March 23, 2017
