According to Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos, Anaheim’s Francois Beauchemin and Jean-Francois Jacques will meet with NHL discipline czar Brendan Shanahan today for their actions in last night’s 7-4 win over Columbus.
Beauchemin began the rough stuff by separating Jeff Carter’s shoulder with this blindside hit to start the third period:
Then, with just five minutes left in the game, Jacques was given a five-minute elbowing major and 10-minute misconduct for this hit on RJ Umberger:
“One’s a blindside and the other he’s leaving his feet,” ex-Columbus coach Scott Arniel told NHL.com. “In our opinion, both of those were illegal hits. I’m sure the League will be taking a look at those.”
“I got a pass and I was in a shooting motion,” Umberger told the OC Register. “Clearly defenseless. You can’t hit a guy like that right there, especially directly to the head. It’s a clear hit that they’re trying to get rid of in this league.”
Jacques could be in serious trouble given his repeat offender status. In September, he was suspended nine games (four preseason, five regular season) for leaving the bench to fight Vancouver’s Mike Duco in an exhibition contest. Technically the suspension was for eight games but, since the incident occurred in the final five minutes, an automatic one-game ban was added on.
