Suspension ‘tough to swallow' for Carcillo

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Daniel Carcillo didnt think twice about that early hit on Friday night. But the NHL did, and now Carcillo is sidelined again.

Carcillo was suspended two games for his hit on Carolina defenseman Joni Pitkanen on Friday night. Carcillo will sit out Saturday nights game against Columbus as well as Mondays contest against Nashville, both Central Division tilts.

Pitkanen was a bit slow to get up after the hit, which sent him into the boards early in the first period. But he went on to play the rest of the game, logging a team-high 22 minutes, 21 seconds on ice.

No penalty was called on the play.

I just tried making a play on the puck. Maybe I was leaning on him, but I felt like he lost his edge and we both went into the boards. That was that, he said. He was trying to shield me from the puck. He was doing his job and I dont know what else I couldve done in that situation to make it less careless or less reckless, the way they describe it. So like I said, he lost his edge and he went down and here I am sitting out two games.

Coach Joel Quenneville also thought Pitkanen was off balance when Carcillo hit him. But Rob Blake of the NHLs department of player safety said otherwise in the video explanation. Blake said the hit, which was in violation of Rule 41.1, was a reckless hit from behind.

Carcillo leans on Pitkanen from behind. At this point, Pitkanens balance is intact and his feet are planted securely on the ice, Blake said. When Carcillo pushes him, it throws (Pitkanen) forward, causing him to toe pick which leads to his loss of balance.

Carcillo is a repeat offender in the NHL, with the latest being his fifth suspension, and that probably didnt help matters when the punishment was handed down.

Theres not too much leeway in this league (for me). Maybe give some serious thought to changing my last name or something, Carcillo said.

Quenneville concurred.

His scrutiny when hes on the ice, his leash for what he can and cannot do is very short and I think he knows that, he said. Thats something well always be aware of when we go forward. We dont want him slowing down with how he plays the game.

The NHL has made it clear that its taking a harder stance on hits to vulnerable players, or hits on players in vulnerable positions. Carcillo was playing well for the Blackhawks in the early going. But right now, hell have to sit the next two out.

I thought I was doing a pretty good job of making safe hits and Ive never been suspended for a hit and Ive made hundreds every year, he said. Im just frustrated right now. Its a tough pill to swallow.

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