Breaking: Flames’ Giordano faces suspension for ugly hit on Aho

Early in the third period of today’s 4-1 victory for the Calgary Flames over the Carolina Hurricanes, Flames captain Mark Giorado ROCKED Hurricanes forward Sebastien Aho with a HUGE open ice hit that sent the young Canes forward to the medical room.

Giordano was given a 5 minute penalty and a game ejection on the play, while Aho did not return to action. Here’s the play in question:

Again, Giordano was given a match penalty for a hit to the head… but, does his even contact Aho’s head?

It looks to us like Giordano’s hits Aho square in the chest, but the two make knee-on-knee contact, which may have been the source of Aho’s pain. Regardless, veteran Justin Williams wasn’t about to stand by and see his young star laid to waste. He dropped the gloves with Giordano immediately.

The Flames would end up winning the game 4-1, but for the Canes and Aho… that’s the least of their concern. They’re in a tight playoff race and Aho has been one of the team’s best players this season. He has 14 points in his last 10 games and has carried the mail on the team’s top line with Jordan Staal and Teuvo Teravainen for much of this season.

No update from the Hurricanes staff yet on the nature or severity of Aho’s injury, but with the team heading into their week long bye week, Aho will have at least five days to rest and recover from his injury. The team doesn’t play again until next Saturday, January 20th, against the Detroit Red Wings. 

UPDATE: Hurricanes head coach Bill Peters commented on Aho's injury following the game.