TORONTO – After several news outlets called for the suspension of Zdeno Chara following a hit on the Canadiens’ Max Pacioretty, the National Hockey League released a statement regarding the final decision. The NHL’s Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Mike Murphy issued the following statement on Boston Bruins defenseman Chara’s hit in NHL game #996 last night against the Montreal Canadiens.
“I conducted a hearing with Boston Bruins’ defenseman Zdeno Chara with respect to the major penalty for interference and game misconduct that he was assessed at 19:44 of the second period for a hit on Max Pacioretty of the Montreal Canadiens.
“After a thorough review of the video I can find no basis to impose supplemental discipline. This hit resulted from a play that evolved and then happened very quickly — with both players skating in the same direction and 
with Chara attempting to angle his opponent into the boards. I could not find any evidence to suggest that, beyond this being a correct call for interference, that Chara targeted the head of his opponent, left his feet or delivered the check in any other manner that could be deemed to be dangerous.
“This was a hockey play that resulted in an injury because of the player colliding with the stanchion and then the ice surface. In reviewing this play, I also took into consideration that Chara has not been involved in a supplemental discipline incident during his 13-year NHL career.”
With that, Chara has escaped suspension as the Bruins look to solidify their playoff position.
Though the hit was clearly not intended to cause injury there was a clamor for more serious discipline. The statement will doubtless cause some to question the NHL’s decision.
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