Blackhawks D Hjalmarsson suspended two games

TSN.ca Staff

10/13/2010 6:39:58 PM

The National Hockey League has suspended Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Niklas Hjalmarsson two games for his hit from behind on Buffalo Sabres winger Jason Pominville during the Blackhawks 4-3 win on Monday.

''There's nothing I can do about that now,'' Hjalmarsson said on Wednesday. ''The league gave me two games and I guess I have to accept that.

''It wasn't too hard of a hit, I guess. Maybe I should have considered him being in a vulnerable position a bit more. It's what [the league] said.''

The incident occurred with 5:42 left in the first period.  Pominville sustained a concussion and a gash above his eye that required 7-8 stitches. He was diagnosed in the building without going to a hospital.

''If I could turn back time, I probably would have acted differently but I can't do that,'' Hjalmarsson continued ''It's a fast game out there and you have to make your decisions real fast and sometimes it can get ugly. I really didn't intent to hurt him, and I really hope that Jason gets well as soon as possible.''

Hjalmarsson was given a five-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct on the play.

''The league felt two games was appropriate, so we'll live with it and move on,'' head coach Joel Quenneville said. ''We missed him for a big part of the last game and got through a tough stretch, so we'll have to do the same thing here for a couple of games.''