Former NHL superstar Pavel Datsyuk, who now plays for SKA Saint Petersburg of the KHL, had a career first when he was awarded a game misconduct and 25 penalty minutes after delivering a huge hit to an opponent during a recent playoff game against HC Dynamo Moscow.
The hit came with bout 4:30 remaining in the second period of Sunday’s game, with the series tied 1-1. Datsyuk, 38, took exception to a dangerous hit from behind moments before. He got up and immediately set his sights on the incoming puck carrier, who took a shot on goal and was then immediately laid out by Datsyuk.
For all intents and purposes, it was a clean hit, although it was delivered late and caught the opposing player in a vulnerable position. Datsyuk was awarded a game misconduct and racked up 25 penalty minutes on the play. What’s incredible to consider is that Datsyuk only racked up more than 25 penalty minutes in a season once in his 14 years of NHL play.
See video of the play below.
