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Blackhawks Fri Feb 22 2013
Is Jannik Hansen related to the Hanson Brothers?
After the Blackhawks defeated the Vancouver Canucks the other day, most fans and media talked most about the hit Vancouver Canucks winger Jannik Hansen put on Marian Hossa. When I first saw it, I remember tweeting something to the effect of, "Here we go -- typical dirty play from the Vancouver Canucks."
That type of blow to the back of the head is outlawed in boxing and mixed martial arts -- it has no place hockey either.
When I saw what Hansen said about the hit to the back of the head, I wanted to believe his excuse since the puck was in the air and Hossa appeared to be backing up towards him as well, but then I realized what team Hansen plays for.
I am starting to believe that everyone who is associated with the Canucks to be somewhat delusional. That includes the team, the players, the fans and especially their media. Directly after the game, Twitter was a feeding frenzy for fans and media from both cities. The consensus from the Chicago people was, "Vancouver is a dirty team," and the Vancouver people were saying, "No we're not. We play with an edge."
No matter what you believe, or whom you root for, look at the facts. Last month, Hansen cross checked a referee. Seriously -- check out the video.
Remember two seasons ago during the Stanley Cup Finals when Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber smashed Hansen's head into the boards and didn't get suspended? To be fair, and to inject some journalistic integrity, Hossa was involved in a questionable play during 2010 playoff series against Nashville, too. Some thought it was dirty, but the league probably took into account that Hossa doesn't have a history of being a dirty player.
Either way you look at it, the Canucks are a team full of players who don't seem to grasp the fact they have the perception of being a dirty team. I won't take you down memory lane since the games between the Blackhawks and the Canucks aren't for the timid.
Maybe Hansen is a long-lost relative of the Hanson brothers from Slap Shot? Just a theory...
