Steve Ott Hit Included in NHL Rules Video

Steve Ott's low hit (or "low bridge", if you like) on Carlo Colaiacovo is shown in this video at approximately the 3:35 mark to illustrate an illegal hip check/low hit. He was suspended 2 games for this check.

This isn't really a good thing, but like all of you I point and get excited when the Stars are featured anywhere and say "Hey! That's the Stars!!"

Not featured are the James Neal hits on Derek Dorsett and Petr Prucha. Neither of which, while deserving of at best boarding penalties, fall into this category of dangerous hits to the head. Neither had its' principle point of contact with the head. They were perhaps a little careless, but not what the NHL illustrates in this video regarding head shots.

New ref signal for head shot: (not to be confused with the facepalm)

29.19 Illegal check to the head

Patting flat (open palm) of the non-whistle hand on this side of the head.

Also included in the video is another message from the league stipulating that players must minimize contact on obvious icing calls. Most of these examples are obvious, but in a game situation this year, with the refs attempting to reinforce these new standards (perhaps seeking to make an example early on?) it might cause you to leap up off your couch the first time you see it called on the Stars.