By Chris Kuc
Alex Ovechkin has been suspended for two games without pay by the NHL
for his hit on Blackhawks defenseman Brian Campbell in Sunday's game,
NHL.com reported Monday.
NHL senior executive vice president of hockey operations Colin Campbell
ruled that it was a "reckless" hit by Ovechkin, who received a
five-minute boarding major and a game misconduct on the play.
Campbell, who sustained a broken collarbone and will be sidelined at least through the end of the regular season, was scheduled to meet with team physician Michael Terry on Monday to further assess the defenseman's injury.
The Hawks are expected to provide an update on Campbell's condition Tuesday with the team in California preparing for Wednesday night's game against the Ducks.
Because he also was suspended for two games in November, Ovechkin is now considered a repeat offender under the collective bargaining agreement. He'll forfeit more than $232,000 in salary based on the number of games in the season instead of the number of days.
Ovechkin will miss games Tuesday at Florida and Thursday at Carolina. He can return Saturday at Tampa Bay.
TSN reported the Hawks have placed veteran defenseman Nick Boynton on re-entry waivers to replace Campbell.
Register with Chicago Tribune and receive Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks newsletters for free. 
When sports news breaks, be the first to know. (To get alerts on a mobile device, text CHISPORTS to 31286.). 
Hopefully Campbell uses this time to work on his skating. Toe picks can cause serious damage. Hey, maybe the Caps will meet the Hawks in the Finals, and all you internet tough guys can really get all frothy...
Hockeyfan on March 16, 2010 11:42 AM
A star of what? He is the star alright that kind of players and with his attitude he's belong in the zoo with the monkey.
;;;;;;;;;;
Was that your first attempt at English?
A star of what? He is the star alright that kind of players and with his attitude he's belong in the zoo with the monkey.
Anthony on March 16, 2010 9:53 AM
''''''''''''''''
What a dork.
Ah we have been censored. Dear Moderator I will try to keep this a family channel. So back to our show.... Why does someone like Ovechkin, who has so much talent, have to be such a cheap shot punk?
And the last two games for the Hawks should be a nice wake up call, I am MUCH more at ease if we enter the playoffs fighting for second or third place, rather than run away with Norris Trophy, most points in league, etc. and then get slammed due to being smug.
Just ask the Sharks about playoff beat downs. Campbell is a great player, but the Hawks have enough collective talent to get it right in playoffs. All the sudden someone woke up the Redwings, this journey will be earned not given.
2 games seems like the right punishment for a boarding shot. This is what the league has done in the past and it shouldn't change now just because it was a Hawks player on the receiving end.
I understand why the Capitals are circling the wagons around Ovechkin, but the guy has a history of this (see http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/29082) and Hawks need to put this one in the memory bank for next year, as we don't play the Capitals again this year.
And remember, Ovechkin was already getting suspended a game for the game misconduct penalty, so the NHL only gave him one more.
MattD - Good Point - That is the more effective way.
2 games for goonery and cheap shots ,,,do you think the coward will hit anyone else from behind again...yes he will.
NHL brasss is dumb.
Ovechkin meets Hawks in the playoffs. ANY Hawk player gets him in the corner and beats the living s**t out of him. Then, do it again, and again...different player each time.
Betcha Ovechkin doesn't try that crap on Blackhawks again. Problem solved. The Blackhawks are deep enough to survive while Campbell recoups. Get healed soon, Brian! You are a class act.
What a gutless decision by the NHL Ovechkin should have been suspended at the very least the remainder of the season and why not? Does it have anything to do with the fact he is one of the leagues top goal scorers, best players and that would hurt the attendance at the gate? Shameful on the part of the NHL, he has a track record of his goonery and should be dealt with the same as any other player. The NHL is losing credibility as if they haven't done it before. This is at least the second time this year he has been suspended for violent play and yes it will cost him over $200,000 but I'm sure that will not change his play. I shall pray for Campbell and wish him a quick recovery but I'm sure if someone took out Ovechkin like that, they would receive a longer suspension.
Daniel ........... Toronto, CANADA
http://my.opera.com/dandmb50toronto/blog/
I predict NASCAR and NHL will join forces, asking for hockey players to fight in the oval infields during races and good ole boys will drive kiddie cars drunk on the ice. Now that folks is sports CONVERGENCE. My stupid point? NHL and NASCAR leaders think it is cute to forget the sport and act like collective f*cknuts.
Since Pro Boxing has such HUGE ratings (COUGH) let's get Don King to regulate NASCAR and the NHL, then the knuckle f's that post on here about Ovechkin sorry ass, can have real entertainment.
Bring me naked roller derby and call it a night.
Take a look at the video link below. Slight bit of hypocrisy eh?
Same ref as the one that gave Ovechkin the major in the Chicago game. Ovechkin takes as many cheap shots as he gives.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkQKBGAQExQ
Hockey is a tough sports but hitting someone intentionally like that Monster did there is no excuses I means come on he has been hurting other players before more than once and he was making a funny remarks about it. REAL PRO OVIE I hope your day will comes.
Ovechkin should be very thankful he got off way too easy on this punishment. Capitals get him back in 2 games whereas we're out a very good defenseman. Hope NHL watches him alot more closely now, any more dirty playing and he gets suspended longer.
Ovechkin needs to get his ass kicked in a severe way (hospitalized for 20 games) by some NHL tough guy.
His cheap shots will stop immediately.
Bettman is, was, and always will be the worst "commissioner" in pro sports. All the bull about rule changes, head injuries, protecting the players is just that: bull.
This guy is a repeat offender with multiple dirty hits, and headhunts every game. Toews (a REAL star) said it best when he said players should have respect for the game.
Wake up, Bettman. NHL's two games in not enough.
Since he's afraid to fight, here's hoping someone puts "Ovie" (how cute) in the HOSPITAL for the rest of the season. With, you know, "just a push".
Capitals will tank in the playoffs--karma's a real byatch.
Crime pays.
Yeah Ovechkin is afraid to fight then maybe he's playing the wrong sport. He's a coward who attacks people from behind he's good at that.
Ovie?
Ovechkin is a dirty player who by his own admission is afraid to fight.
Welcome to the new NHL!
The league is way more dangerous without enforcers.
It sucks that Campbell got hurt. Most NHL fans either like Ovie or don't. He plays hard and gives 100%. Sometimes it has gone a little far. I am surprised nobody came to soupy's defense. A few weeks back Ovie was about to get into a fight, he droped his gloves and Bradley immediately came to his aid. I dont think I'll be able to change any minds, it was a local teams player and whoever hit him would be vilified. I didn't see much when Cooke blindsided Savard and gave him a level 2 concussion. Anybody who has had a concussion knows they are not easy to bounce back from. Look how long it has taken Gonchar in the past.
Like Ryan C said, "Think about if the roles had been reversed -- I'm not sure most people in Chicago are able to look at this incident in an unbiased manner."
Ovechkin will be back in uniform this Saturday in time to boost tv ratings in Tampa, another losing market. Bettman and Colin Campbell make me vomit.
Ace on March 15, 2010 8:05 PM
Shite penalty. he shoulda got a 2 min. boarding penalty. soupy's slip is what caused the injury.
A$$ is more like it not Ace. You must have been watching a different game. You don't get to call him Soupy since you're a dummy. Ovechkin being a gutless thug as usual is what caused the injury. Go watch the replay and try to learn something before posting something so stupid.
I agree with you Ruddie64 and thanks for your kindly comments Canucks Fan to the Blackhawks.
Let me see if I have this correct.
Campbell (Hawks); injured on boarding foul, broken collarbone, out for remainder of season; 14 games.
Ovechkin; recidivist, called for boarding foul, 5 minute penalty, nothing broken; Suspended without pay 2 games.
Campbell (NHL); Dead in the head, did not watch Olympic hockey coverage to see how game should be played, will have job next year, no suspension.
UFB.
I appreciate the classy comment from the Canucks fan. It's rare to see another teams fan comment in a positive manner. Further, Ovie is a goon and should be suspended for at least 10 games. The only way to teach him a lesson (if he would understand)!
Lapierre got 4 games for this hit less than 2 weeks ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0DAnt20Bgw
Why Ovi got only 2??
NHL s**ks.
As much as the Hawks are a great team, and competition to the Canucks, this was a nasty and uncalled-for incident. I don't like Ovechkin's response to an incident that could have been even more serious. He has had far too many 'accidents' with other players...Good luck on your return, Brian.
"Without pay." As much as pro athletes make today thats chump change.
Suspended him for two games without pays is not going to stop him from coming back and showing off his dirty style once again. HE IS A MONSTER. NHL should put him out for this season at least.
Ovie is a dirty player and love to show off his dirty style just because he is a star NHL probably won't do anything about it infact Caps Coach is such a lies on his interview he should be fine as well. Speaking of the fairness such ashame if they don't do anything about it.
Just read on the NHL site that Ovechkin got a 2 game suspension, that's ridiculous, we lose a defenseman and Ovechkin gets a slap on the wrist, unbelieveable.
Ovechkin is dirty. He is always on the lookout to take someone out. Last year in the playoffs he went out of his way to take out one of the penguins (I think it was Talbot?) knees. He couldn't get his body around to make the hit so he threw his leg out and took the player out for the rest of the series. Its about time someone else realized it. Don't give me the he plays hard talk either. There are a ton of other players that play just as hard and are not constantly questioned about the intentions of their checks. Ovechkin is a dirty player and should be suspended.
Oh and you do not shove a guy into the boards, you check them. Check the rule book. Not only that, watch again, Odirtytin put his stick around soupys waist to slow him down just so he could push him into the boards. Cheap stuff clown. Suspend the King, i dont care how good he is.
I also like how Non Hockey Fan Hacks think Campbell is not any good. He had a bad 1st half of his 1st year here and because he gets paid alot of money he stinks, JELOUS!!!. had been a very solid Offensive Defensmen and His D Is Much improved as is his shot. Learn the game then come on here and whine.
To the so called Caps fans posting here if another player did this to Ovechkin you would be screaming murder but since he's your "star player" that makes his disgusting play perfectly fine.
Only idiots post stuff here...oh wait, what does that make me?
First off the Patrick Kane thing is not even remotely relevant to this but if Backstrom is using it as a defense and treating both of these situations the same then Ovechkin should be arrested and charged with assault and battery.
He may have done the Hawks a favor as Campbell is not much of a playoff performer.
I'm sure Ovechkin wasn't trying to hurt Campbell. It was like Zetterburg's hit on Havlat last year in the Conference Finals. It was hard, harder than it needed to be, but I don't think it was malicious. 5 minute penalty? Yes. Game misconduct? Yes. Kicked out? Sure. Suspended a game or so? Okay, he did have a broken collar bone and a broken rib or two. But I agree, the NHL needs to iron this out and decide what law on the ice is. That hit on Savard was nasty. And that's what the guys on NBC were saying. Iron this out so players know what is allowed and not.
I find it completely laughable that Caps fans are upset that Ovie might be out a game or two, when he was the one that blindsided Campbell who is at least going to be out the rest of the regular season. Quit crying Caps fans. If anyone should be crying it should be Hawks fans. FYI Campbell is still a top 4 defenseman on this Hawks team and outside of Green he's be the best d-man on Washington's team.
I love all the Hawks haters out there that won't let the Patrick Kane cab driver thing go. Holy crap, grow up! So Backstrom says the Hawks are out in the 1st round? Do you even watch hockey? Besides the Sharks, who in the West is even on the the same tier as the Hawks? Leave it to all the Caps fans to hate on the Hawks. Don't forget that it was only 4 years ago that your team was the biggest turd in the NHL. You get to draft an Ovechkin and now you think you're great. Your team is in the same position as the Hawks. Forever irrelevant and now suddenly relevant.
If Ovechkin gets suspended for this after the NHL did NOTHING to Matt Cooke for a FAR WORSE offense when he blind-sided Marc Savard IN THE HEAD, then it is the NHL governing body that needs to have it's collective head examined.
A real iffy hit.Ovis' push might be the factor that he sits a game or two. If Campbell had put the same hit on Ovi, how many games would had he been given?
Quit crying Chi-town, Campbell wasn't any good and it could have been worse...say like beating a cab driver up over a $2 fare...cough ** Kane ** cough...the Hawks will be out in the first round anyway.
sorry for Campbell, however did not look melicious to me. they where going for the puck the dude got in the way. Rock on Ovie, Caps are the best, great job Nick !
That's Ovechkin's THIRD ejection this year due to game misconduct (an earlier boarding penalty, and the knee-to-knee hit on Gleason).
OF COURSE he was going for the hit and didn't plan on slowing down, even though he had PLENTY of time. That's what the S.O.B. does, and he's been very upfront about the fact that he doesn't care that his (too) fast play is reckless.
I hope they suspend his ass back to the stone age.
Hey Arbitrator...Campbell's teammates DID come to his defense. They SCORED on the PP. isnt that the real way to exact revenge in the game? not pound someone's head in.
will give Ovi the benefit of the doubt that he did not intend to injure (and thus should not be judged based on outcome), but no doubt in my mind that Ovi's shove on Soupy was illegal, dangerous, and unnecessary. it could have been a lot worse than a broken clavicle. the league needs to make a statement and get this right. we can't have players' careers and lives jeopardized by this kind of play.
...though, I do agree the league needs to punish the act and not the injury...
RyanC - you're way off base. Ovechkin had a full view of the back of Campbell's jersey and still hammered him. In what way is that not a dangerous hit?
The real question is:
How can you not fine/suspend hundreds of much worse hits that have happened this season, and then turn around and fine/suspend a player for a little push?
And don't give me that repeat offender bull, all hockey players, are repeat offenders. Its how the game is played.
Its ironic that Ovechkin took a much worse boarding hit a month ago and NOTHING got called. Fortunately Brooks Laich stood up for his team mate, while none of the Blackhawks stood up for Campbell.
NHL = National Hypocrites League
If Ovechkin gets fined/suspended while Moore's hit on Savard gets nothing, then the NHL disciplinary committee is nothing but a complete joke. But we already knew that, didn't we?
I'm among the biggest of blackhawks fans, but it sure didn't seem like a malicious or dirty hit to me. It was only the outcome that make people so upset. A penalty, perhaps, and maybe even a double minor. But if Campbell hadn't gotten his skate stuck in the ice, he would be fine right now. I don't think the league ought to impose any kind of suspension on Ovechkin.
Think about if the roles had been reversed -- I'm not sure most people in Chicago are able to look at this incident in an unbiased manner.
Only a coward would shove someone from behind. Broken collarbone, broken rib.....I'm OK with deporting his cowardly self back to Mother Russia.
Campbell clearly flipped the puck out, Ovechkin had time to slow and at worst just bump him.. after Campbell got rid of the puck, he slammed him into the boards. You know he will probably get off scott free.. but yea, he SHOULD be out as long as Campbell is out. They basically said he got ejected because Campbell was injured, they should use the same scenario for a suspension.
His suspension should last as long as Campbell is unable to play.
In cheap shot situations they should be suspended for as long as the injured player is out. If Campbell is out for the season, Ovechkin should be out too; or at least until Campbell returns.
It was a shady hit and they should come down hard on him. Alex is a star though so they will probably just give him a slap on the wrist maybe a couple games suspension.
Hope he gets suspended for the rest of the season and the playoffs. That was an intentional push.