Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa was briefly hospitalized Tuesday after suffering a brutal hit by Coyotes forward Raffi Torres. Hossa was skating through the neutral zone without the puck when Torres left his skates to deliver the blow, leading with his shoulder and connecting with Hossa's face. Hossa eventually left the ice on a stretcher.
Marian Hossa Injury: Blackhawks Forward Briefly Hospitalized After Brutal Hit
“Marian Hossa suffered an upper body blow in the first period of tonight’s game. After initial evaluation on the ice he was taken by ambulance to the hospital for further testing, which yielded encouraging results. He has been released from the hospital, and we are monitoring him closely at home. We anticipate a full recovery in a timetable yet to be determined. ”
Torres wasn’t penalized on the play, but the NHL may still levy punishment after reviewing the play.
"It's tough. You saw the hit," Chicago's Patrick Kane said between periods, according to the Associated Press. "I think it'll be reviewed by the league. It's just tough you don't get a power play out of it. Hossa's a big part of our team so someone's going to have to step up and fill the void."
The Blackhawks would eventually lose the game in overtime, 4-3. The Coyotes now hold a 2-1 series advantage, with Game 4 being held Thursday in Chicago before the series returns to Phoenix on Saturday.
Stick with SBNation.com for full Coyotes vs. Blackhawks series coverage. For more from the Phoenix perspective, head over to the Five For Howling. For more on the Blackhawks, check out Second City Hockey.
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