Pittsburgh Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese suffered a broken jaw and a concussion after being on the receiving end of a devastating hit from Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson in Tuesday’s Game 3. Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan announced Aston-Reese’s injury following the Capitals’ 4-3 win.
The brutal hit occurred midway through the second period. Aston-Reese had possession of the puck in front of the Capitals bench when Wilson skated up and delivered the blow. No penalty was called on the ice, and fans inside Pittsburgh’s PPG Paints Arena booed Wilson emphatically as replay of the hit was being shown on the video screens.
Wilson avoided suspension after another questionable hit back in Game 2 on Brian Dumoulin. After the recent hit, Sullivan voiced his frustrations. However, Capitals head coach Barry Trotz had a different opinion of the hit.
āIt was a high hit. What else can I say?ā – #Penguins coach Mike Sullivan on Tom Wilsonās hit on Aston-Reese.
āTo me it was a hard hockey hit. If you want my opinion thatās what I saw. Shoulder to shoulder.ā – Barry Trotz on the same hit.
— Brian McNally (@bmcnally14) May 2, 2018
Initial review of the hit appears to Wilson going shoulder-to-shoulder. And it’s debatable if Wilson left his skates to initiate contact or as a result of getting out of the way after the hit. Nonetheless, Wilson’s reputation may play a factor inĀ Department of Player Safety’s decision on how to proceed this time around.
