Justin Abdelkader ejected for hit on Toni Lydman

The Detroit Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader was ejected for this hit on Anaheim Ducks defenseman Toni Lydman during the second period of game three.  It was a close-checking tie game and this hit seemed to change the whole series in favor of the Ducks.  Lydman was knocked out of the game with a possible concussion and Abdelkader was given a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct.  The Ducks went on to dismantle the Red Wings by a score of 4-0.

After Eric Gryba’s hit on Lars Eller, there is a solid chance that Abdelkader will be suspended.  Abdelkader’s initial point of contact was with Lydman’s head, which is the exact same as Gryba’s hit.  My guess is that Abdelkader will be suspended for one game by Brendan Shanahan.  My only problem with the play is that a penalty wasn’t going to be called until the referees saw how injured Lydman was.

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