After having heard Josh Morrissey’s explanation in a mid-Wednesday hearing over his very questionable cross-check to the neck/head area of Eric Staal, Morrissey was suspended one gameby the NHL Department of Player Safety and will thus miss game five of their series against the Minnesota Wild.

Morrissey’s absence will be felt as the Jets look to close out the series against the Wild. The Jets already have issues with health on defense as regulars Tobias Enstrom, Dimitri Kulikov and Tyler Myers are already out of the lineup – Enstrom and Myers at best both questionable for Friday’s game five.

Here is the Morrissey hit in question:

Eric Staal quickly returned to the game after shaking off the cross check. It kind of looks like Morrissey wasn’t looking where he was checking on Staal, as he looked away at the last second. That’s not an excuse for Morrissey, as he’s still responsible. There wasn’t a penalty called on the play, which is part of the frustration on the Wild’s part.

At this point, Sami Niku may draw in for the duration of the suspension. However, there are rumours that Myers may be good to go or even Toby Enstrom. Either way, game 5 will be tough for the Jets.