Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall has already had the reputation around the league for being a big hitter. He may also be developing a 
During last nights game between Detroit and Anaheim, Niklas Kronwall laid a hit on the veteran forward. Selanne thought Kronwall got the elbow up and didn’t hold back any displeasure about the hit and Kronwall according to Ansar Khan of Mlive.com.
“That guy is dangerous out there. One of these days somebody’s going to get him, for sure,” Selanne said. “I know that. It’s just a matter of time when. For sure his elbow hit in my face. I didn’t see the replay, but I know how it felt.”
Obviously Kronwall felt differently about the hit…
“I haven’t seen the replay yet, but to me, the way I (saw it), I felt I hit him with the shoulder,” Kronwall said.
Khan stated that Anaheim head coach supported Selanne then ripped the officiating…
“Kronwall clearly jumped and shouldered him in the jaw, went for his head,” Carlyle said. “You could see the replay, but then the referee said, ‘I didn’t see any illegal act.’ I said, ‘You better look at the replay.’
“(Then) two players collide in the middle of the ice, (Johan) Franzen and Corey Perry, we get a penalty for it. I’m just sick of it in this building.”
Selanne continued to voice his frustrations then questioned the officiating at the Joe itself…
“This is the building, seriously, I never have seen any other building … ” Selanne said. “I’d like to see the stats if it’s ever happened that the visiting team’s going to get more power plays than home team. It is a joke. As long as I have played here, it’s always happened. You almost know. They get at least three power plays every first period.”
He wasn’t done.
“Like 50-50 calls are going to go in their favor,” Selanne said. “It’s not a secret for anybody. Plus there’s a young referee (Frederick L’Ecuyer) who’s pumped to do the games here. The calls are going to go in their favor.
“That’s not the reason why we lost but still, if you get one power play and they get five (they got three), it’s a big difference.”
What’s funny is you always here the criticism that the Wings are too old to continue winning, yet when they continue winning it’s either they play in a week division or they consistently get the better end of the officiating.
Selanne, maybe if your team wasn’t the most penalized in the NHL you could start getting more calls your way. Until then you can’t expect to get the benefit of the doubt.
Source: Mlive.com
*Judge for yourself, was this a dirty hit by Kronwall? I don’t think it was.
