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Canucks’ Virtanen to have hearing for late hit on Polak

Vancouver rookie Jake Virtanen will have a hearing with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety after being kicked out of last night’s game versus the Sharks for a late hit on defenseman Roman Polak.

Virtanen received a five-minute major for interference, as well as a game misconduct, for the check. Polak was shaken up but later returned to the action.

Afterwards, Virtanen admitted the hit was “a little late,” though he argued it was “shoulder-to-shoulder” and not a head shot. He also denied the hit was premeditated after Polak had knocked his stick out of his hands.

Virtanen, 19, was asked if he expected to receive any supplemental discipline.

“I’m not sure,” he told reporters. “It’s a first-time thing for me and something I’ve never really been around it.”