And before the debate regarding dirty hits in hockey could really get started again, Rob Scuderi almost completed the weekend hat-trick when he went low on a hip check against Jason Chimera during a game between the Los Angeles Kings and Columbus Blue Jackets last night at the Staples Center.

Just passed the half-way point of the first period, with the Kings leading 2-0, the speedy Chimera picked the puck up along the boards just inside his own zone and gained speed through the neutral zone, but as he entered the Kings’ zone he was met with what was supposed to be a hip check from Scuderi.  Unfortunately, the Kings’ defenseman may have got a little too low, taking out Chimera’s knees and sending him somersaulting to the ice.

Chimera was slow to get up and was bleeding after a cut was reopened when his head made contact with the ice.  Several Blue Jacket players went after Scuderi, believing the check to be a cheap shot, but the refs would prevent them from administering any sort of revenge.

When it was all said and done, Columbus’ Derek Dorsett would be given a game misconduct for leaving the bench, Chimera received a 10 minute misconduct, and the Jackets also got a 2 minute minor for too many men on the ice.

Heavy collisions are to be expected in the game of hockey, but the line between clean and dirty needs to be drawn somewhere.  If the league will not do it, then you can expect the players to take matters into their own hands.  Perhaps some line brawling is in the works, a la OHL styles.

Here is a clip of the hit.  Clean hip check, or dirty cheap shot?  You be the judge.