Panik rocked by Upshall hit, struggles to make it to bench (Video)
Richard Panik started the scoring for the Maple Leafs on Sunday evening versus Florida; however, his night would end early after taking a nasty open ice hit from Scottie Upshall.
Sportsnet has the extended clip showing Panik struggle to get back to the bench. He collects himself on the bench before the Leafs training staff coaxes him back to the locker room. Toronto later announced Panik would not return to the game with an 'upper-body injury'.
I've watched the clip about a million times. I don't know what to make of it, as far as supplemental discipline goes.
Was Panik eligible to be hit in the first place? Maybe... It happens quickly, but Panik looks like he deflects the puck off his stick prior to his being hit.
Panik sees the hit coming and it looks like he starts to crouch. Upshall appears to to lead with his shoulder and follows up and through with the check.
We'll see what he league decides to do, if anything, with the play.
UPDATE:
Here's another look. (S/T Robert Söderlind of @HockeyWebCast)
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Jen Neale is a staff writer for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter!
