David Backes blasts Ekman-Larsson from behind

This is one of the hits in the NHL last night, that got a little bit of scrutiny, St. Blues forward David Backes blasts Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Ekman-Larsson from behind. Backes received a two minute penalty for boarding on the play.

This is a dangerous hit, these are the types of hits that the NHL is trying to remove from the game of hockey. I can't believe that Backes was the only one that got a penalty out of the scrum. It also appears, that the hit on Ekman-Larsson was in retaliation for a hit earlier in the game, that went uncalled.

(Video) Jiri Hudler scores and the Wild respond with two goals - Hanowski goal

It was a Wild third period, after an uneventful first two periods. Calgary forward Jiri Hudler scores a beautiful goal and the Wild score two goals by Jason Pominville and Pierre-Marc Bouchard in  1:13, before the Flames scored their second goal.

What was even more interesting, after playing in the Frozen Four this past weekend, former Saint Cloud State Husky Ben Hanowski scored his first NHL goal for the Calgary Flames in his first NHL game.

Jamal Mayers vs. Raffi Torres

This is one of the things that I like about the NHL. The players sort things out on the ice and settle things like men.

Last season, during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Raffi Torres steam rolled Marian Hossa with a dirty and dangerous hit. Hossa suffered a concussion and Torres was suspended for 25 games.

Torres appealed the suspension, and the NHL reduced his suspension to 21 games. Torres is now back playing with the Coyotes after serving his long ban.

I guess you could say that we all knew that this day would come, and the first time that the Phoenix Coyotes played the Chicago Blackhawks, Torres would have to answer the bell against the one of the Blackhawks players. The hockey code demanded it. 

 Torres didn't turtle, he answered the bell, and did quite well against Jamal Mayers.