Chicago Blackhawks forward Chris Kunitz was ejected in last night’s tilt with the Calgary Flames.
Nearing the middle of the second period with the game tied at one, Kunitz zeroed in on an unsuspecting Travis Hamonic.
Hamonic was blindsided by Kunitz as the two were hoping to play the puck. It appears as if Hamonic caught a quick glimpse of the oncoming Kunitz, but with not enough time to brace himself for an elbow to the face.
#Flames D Travis Hamonic bloodied, headed to locker-room, after what looked like an elbow from Chris Kunitz.
— Wes Gilbertson (@WesGilbertson) December 3, 2018
The replay showed Kunitz’s elbow lifting up when hitting Hamonic. The elbow caught Hamonic as Kunitz hoped to get the puck off the half boards. As Kunitz was so close to the wall, it gives reason as to why his elbow was so high, based on the placement of his hand on the stick.
Still, Kunitz followed through with the hit and left Hamonic cut. Kunitz was ejected from the game and rightfully so, whether the play was accidental or on purpose doesn’t matter.
Calgary teammates immediately jumped to the defence of Hamonic, who spent some time on the ice. Cameras eventually caught Hamonic bleeding from the top of his nose. As Hamonic was walking down the hallway to the dressing room, he slammed his stick in frustration.
Hamonic did return to the game and ended up blocking a crucial shot late as the Flames were able to defeat the Blackhawks 3-2. Calgary scored two goals on the 5-minute major handed to Kunitz.
After the game, Hamonic had some comments on the game about the hit:
#Flames D Travis Hamonic, his nose likely broken after that elbow from Chris Kunitz: “Dumb play, dumb hit, so it’s nice to be able to capitalize and make them pay — get two on the major. That was the turning point, I guess. We get those two and we were able to hold on.”
— Wes Gilbertson (@WesGilbertson) December 3, 2018
Right now, there is no word about a possible suspension or fine for Kunitz, although that could change in the late morning/afternoon.
“If this was Tom Wilson, there would would be outrage, there would be a call for capital punishment…”@CraigJButton & @KelceyBradeTSN on why Chris Kunitz’ hit on Travis Hamonic is the textbook kind of hit that merits suspension https://t.co/R3uiPEeyWK #TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/ANxGx9o63a
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) December 3, 2018
