Steve Ott Plows Over Lightning Forward; Suspension Forthcoming? [VIDEO]
By Will Burchfield on Twitter @Burchie_kid
DETROIT (CBSDetroit) - Per the recent norm between the Red Wings and the Tampa Bay Lightning, their clash on Tuesday night provided bad blood and controversy.
Midway through the second period, Detroit's Steve Ott barreled over Tampa Bay's Cedric Paquette behind the Lightning net. The collision instantly resulted in a fight, with Brian Boyle stepping in and challenging Ott.
Ott's hit will likely be reviewed by the NHL's Department of Player Safety, which may result in a hearing for the hard-nosed forward. The two most pertinent questions are whether Ott left his feet upon contact and whether he targeted Paquette's head. In the video above, he appeared to do neither.
Then again, it depends on who you ask.
If the play is indeed reviewed by the league, it won't help Ott that he has a reputation - and a bit of a history - as a dirty player. He has been suspended twice in his career, the first time for a hit to the head of Colorado's Jordan Leopold in 2008, the second time for gouging the eye of Anaheim's Travis Moen in 2009.
The Red Wings and Lighting have met in the playoffs each of the past two years and twice so far this season. The two teams have grown increasingly fed up with one another, engaging in a slew of fights and foul play. Ott's hit on Paquette was just another log on the fire.
Update: Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill praised Ott for the hit after the Wings' 4-3 loss.
"I think it gives you momentum when you have that kind of play, for sure. It was a great hit and we need more of that," Blashill said. "I thought we had a great hit in the first by Glenny (Luke Glendening), we had a great hit in the second by Otter. He obviously answered the bell, which he always will. I thought it helps feed your momentum for sure, especially with this crowd. I know the crowd, they like that stuff, so it was good."
