The NHL will hold a telephone hearing with Vancouver Canucks forward Alex Burrows for his hit on Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexei Emelin, Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reports. As you can see, Kypreos believes supplemental discipline is imminent:
Burrows delivered that check during the Canucks’ overtime win against the Canadiens on Thursday. He believes that it wasn’t a late hit, according to the Montreal Gazette’s Dave Stubbs:
Burrows translated: “I tried to finish my check, I had no intention to injure, was happy to see Emelin back for 3rd period” :#Habs #HabsIO
— Dave Stubbs 🇨🇦 (@Dave_Stubbs) October 31, 2014
Burrows on hit (no word yet on NHL review): “When they slow it down to 24 frames per second it might look late but I didn’t think it was"
— Dave Stubbs 🇨🇦 (@Dave_Stubbs) October 31, 2014
Habs coach Michel Therrien deemed it a dirty hit to the head. Decide for yourself:
That hit didn’t generate a penalty.
Burrows, 33, hasn’t ever been suspended by the NHL despite being one of the league’s most agitating presences. He has, however, been fined on two different occasions. It likely helps Burrows’ cause that Emelin, 28, returned to the game during the third period.
Kypreos reports that a decision will be made today. Vancouver’s next game is against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.