Ed Condron

Chicago, IL

Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres has been suspended indefinitely for brutally knocking out Chicago's Marian Hossa in their Tuesday's playoff match, the NHL announced Thursday.

Torres, notorious for taking questionable hits on players, is set to attend a hearing with NHL officials Friday following his vicious shoulder blow to the head of Hossa in Game 3.

Hossa, the Blackhawks' regular-season point leader, is the latest of Torres' long list of victims, which also includes his teammate Brent Seabrook, Sean Couturier, Jan Hejda, and Andrew Ference.

Despite the suspension, Torres showed no remorse over his action and claimed his hit on Hossa was a "hockey play."

Coyotes coach Dave Tippett also defended his players, insisting there was nothing foul in Torres' action.

"I don't think there was any malicious intent on Raffi's part," Tippet told Fox Sports Thursday. "He's a hard hitter. That's the way he plays the game. He turned, coming full speed, caught a guy right in the chest. Unfortunately, the player was injured."

Meanwhile, Hossa was released from Northwestern Memorial Hospital Tuesday and expected to gain full recovery soon.

Hossa will not play in Thursday's Game 4 but the Blackhawks are much motivated to level the series at 2-2 Thursday night at United Center.

 

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Torres Suspended Indefinitely After Knocking Out Hossa