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Byers to meet with Shanahan over head shot

Dane Byers, Grant Clitsome

Columbus Blue Jackets’ Dane Byers, left, celebrates with teammate Grant Clitsome after goal against the Buffalo Sabres’ in the second period of an preseason NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. The Blue Jackets won 4-1. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

AP

Dane Byers’ dubious hit against the Sharks last night will not go unnoticed by the league.

Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson announced via Twitter this morning that Byers has a phone hearing with Brendan Shanahan to discuss the wicked hit he had on San Jose’s Andrew Desjardins. Byers appeared to target Desjardins’ head with a body check, a hit that earned him a five-minute major and a match penalty.

A match penalty comes with a mandatory one-game suspension, but Byers’ phone hearing means he might get up to five games for the blow. Desjardins said after the game that he was feeling no ill effects thanks to the hit, but giving that another day or two to play out might be in his best interests.

By comparison, Washington’s Nicklas Backstrom said he felt fine after getting elbowed in the face by Rene Bourque last week and he has yet to return. For what it’s worth, Bourque got five games for his head shot.