Advertisement

Brent Seabrook ejected after hit to head of David Backes (Video)

Brent Seabrook ejected after hit to head of David Backes (Video)

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabook was ejected from Game 2 of their Central Division semifinal game against the St. Louis Blues after lining up and hitting center David Backes in the head late in the third period on Saturday.

The Blues tied the game with 16 seconds remaining on the 5-minute major penalty and 6 seconds left in regulation.

Here’s the hit, which earned Seabrook a game misconduct:

 

It was a charging major at 15:09, which might have been an easier call than Illegal Check To The Head, which has that tricky “head targeted” aspect. Clearly, Seabrook traveled to hit Backes, who was prone and didn’t have the puck.

Backes left the game after attempting to get up and exact revenge on the hitter. The Blues' trainer smartly held him back.

The larger issue here is whether Seabrook will be available for Game 3 and beyond. The Department of Player Safety will review the hit, and it’s hard to imagine Seabrook won’t miss at least the next game in this contentious series for the hit on Backes. Question is, will it be more than that? Eric Gryba and Justin Abdelkader were both given two games last postseason for dangeorus hits.