Flames D Andersson to have hearing for hit on Laine
Calgary Flames defenceman Rasmus Andersson will have a hearing on Saturday for his hit on Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced.
The incident occurred late in the third period of Friday's 3-1 Flames loss to the Blue Jackets when Andersson laid out a high hit on Laine at the Calgary blue line as the Blue Jackets forward was aiming for an empty net.
Laine, 25, was shaken by the hit but was able to skate off the ice under his own power. The 6-foot-5 star forward did not travel with the Blue Jackets on Saturday for their game against the Minnesota Wild.
Andersson, 26, was given a five-minute major penalty for elbowing.
"I see a hit to the head and [Andersson] lifting his feet," Blue Jackets head coach Pacal Vincent told reporters after the game. "I saw the replay. That’s illegal in my book. So we’ll let the NHL deal with it.”
Andersson has a goal and three points in five games this season.