(MCT) — CHICAGO — When the United Center public-address announcer introduced the No. 1 star after Tuesday night’s historic 4-3 Blackhawks’ shootout victory over the Canucks, Marian Hossa was nowhere on the ice to be found.

He had left the game during the third period after a cheap shot to the back of the head from Canucks forward Jannik Hansen that the NHL justifiably will review. Even if Hossa didn’t have a concussion history thanks to a similarly thuggish hit in last year’s playoffs, the image of an elite player laying facefirst after Hansen’s forearm shiver would have dampened the mood of everybody. At least this time Hossa didn’t need a stretcher to go to the dressing room.