Penguins' Robert Bortuzzo faces hearing for late hit on Jaromir Jagr
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Robert Bortuzzo faces a hearing for a late hit on New Jersey Devils forward Jaromir Jagr during Tuesday's game, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced.
With just over two minutes to play in the second period, Bortuzzo leveled Jagr and appeared to make contact above the shoulders. Jagr left the game and did not return, but Bortuzzo was not penalized for the hit.
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The Devils responded to Bortuzzo's hit after the game with several pointed comments. Head coach Pete DeBoer told reporters the reaction to the hit would have been different if his team did it to a star Penguins player.
"I thought it was a real liberty. Totally unnecessary. If 1 of our guys had done that to [Sidney] Crosby, it'd be World War 4."
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Forward Jordin Tootoo also said he plans to get retribution on Bortuzzo for the hit, Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger reports.
"I'm not going to forget what number he is," Tootoo said. "It's a long season."
The Penguins won the game 1-0 on Evgeni Malkin's third period goal.
Jagr played for Pittsburgh for the first 11 years of his career, from 1990 to 2001.
Pittsburgh is 17-5-2 and in first place in the Metropolitan Division. New Jersey is in fifth place in the Metropolitan Division at 9-12-4.
- Paul Palladino