Raffi Torres Suspended 25 Games for Punishing Hit on Marian Hossa (Video)

by Ricky Doyle on Sat, Apr 21, 2012 at 1:12PM

Brendan Shanahan has been busy this postseason, and on Saturday, he sent a serious message to Raffi Torres and the rest of the NHL.

Torres has been suspended for 25 games for launching himself to hit Marian Hossa during Game 3 of the Coyotes-Blackhawks series on Tuesday.

Torres had been suspended indefinitely, but Shanahan decided to lay down the hammer for what was clearly an illegal hit. The Coyotes forward left his feet to initiate contact with Hossa in open ice, delivering a viscious blow to Hossa's head, which knocked the Blackhawks veteran from the game and likely the series.

After missing Thursday's Game 4, Torres has 24 games remaining on his suspension, which he will serve this postseason and next regular season. The suspension will also force Torres to forfeit $21,341.46 in salary for every regular season game in which he is ineligible to play, and he is prohibited from playing in any preseason games until all the time is served.

"This [hit] is a violation of three NHL rules –- interference, charging and illegal check to the head," Shanahan said.

Check out the video below to hear Shanahan's complete explanation of the suspension.