Coyotes Ugly: NHL Suspends Martin Hanzal

Martin Hanzal may not have a history of supplemental discipline, but he has been one of many Coyotes involved in dirty play in this postseason. Hanzal was personally called for two roughing penalties and one elbowing penalty in the first two rounds of the playoffs, and received a minor penalty for slashing in Game One against Los Angeles.

The NHL did not extend further discipline on Phoenix defenseman Derek Morris for his knee-to-knee hit on LA defenseman Rob Scuderi, indicating the minor penalty called on the ice was sufficient. However, Morris has been called for three cross checking penalties already in this postseason.

Shane Doan, the Coyotes’ captain, was “surprised” when he received a five minute major penalty for boarding coupled with a game misconduct in Game Two. He was suspended in March for a head hit on Dallas’ Jamie Benn. In this postseason, Doan has been called for an unsportsmanlike penalty against Chicago and a cross checking penalty against Nashville before getting tossed last night.

And, of course, no penalty was called on Raffi Torres when he knocked Marian Hossa out. He was suspended 25 games by the NHL, but is appealing that ruling. Torres was previously suspended this season in January.

Defenseman Rostislav Klesla was also suspended for one game during the Nashville series for boarding.

The fact is simple: Phoenix is a dirty team. And they’re getting owned by a stronger, deeper LA Kings team in the conference finals. Here’s hoping the Kings escape the series healthy enough to compete as a full roster for the Stanley Cup.