New York, NY (Sports Network) – Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres has been suspended indefinitely for a questionable hit against Chicago’s Marian Hossa in Game 3 of the Western Conference quarterfinals.
Torres drilled Hossa with an open-ice shoulder hit in the first period of Phoenix’s 3-2 overtime win on Tuesday. He left his feet to deliver the shot, which forced Hossa off the ice on a stretcher and to the hospital.
Hossa was released from the hospital late Tuesday night, but the Blackhawks did not disclose the exact nature of the injury. The team said only that he suffered an “upper body blow” and tests “yielded encouraging results,” although he won’t play in Game 4 on Thursday.
Torres, who was not penalized on the play, will miss Game 4. A hearing was planned for Wednesday, but Torres asked for a deferment and will attend a hearing in New York on Friday.
It could be a lengthy ban for Torres, considered a repeat offender. He was suspended two games for a similar hit against Minnesota defenseman Nate Prosser in early January.
The Coyotes recalled forward Matt Watkins from their American Hockey League affiliate in Portland.