Ducks forward Nick Ritchie suspended for hit on Blackhawks' Michal Rozsival

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Anaheim Ducks forward Nick Ritchie was suspended two games for roughing Blackhawks defenseman Michal Rozsival in the Ducks' 4-0 victory on Thursday night.

Ritchie punched Rozsival after Rozsival cross-checked Ducks forward Corey Perry early in the third period. In its video the NHL's Department of Player Safety stated:

"Ritchie approaches Rozsival with a crosscheck, then drops his gloves and delivers a hard punch to the face of Rozsival, dropping him to the ice and causing an injury. While Rozsival did cross-check Perry, Ritchie's response is in no way permitted or excusable. He acknowledged he was seeking retribution for the crosscheck, which was already being penalized by the on-ice officials. Rozsival has his hands at his sides, and gives no indication that he is a willing combatant in a potential fight or is in any way prepared for the altercation to escalate. With no reason to suspect Rozsival is ready or willing to fight, Ritchie drops his gloves and delivers a forceful bare-knuckle punch to Rozsival's face at a time when Rozsival is unable to defend himself."

As the department stated, Rozsival did suffer an injury during the incident. Following the game, coach Joel Quenneville said Rozsival was day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

Ritchie will miss the Ducks’ final regular-season game and their first postseason game.

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