By now I’m sure we’ve all seen it — Mike Mottau broke Franz Nielsen. In the face. For those of you who missed Mike Mottau learn to fly, here’s your chance to catch up: (Watch the whole video, there are numerous slow-mo captures of the hit from various angles.)

Brutal.

Well, maybe not so much. First, allow me to offer this bit of shocking news: I am a Devils fan. Go ahead, take it all in. However, when it comes to the seemingly endless amount of head-shots around the NHL, I try to offer the most unbiased stance that I possibly can. With that being said, here’s my breakdown of the two-game suspension Mike Mottau received from the league. Let’s dive right in, shall we?

== WAS THE HIT DIRTY? ==

No.

At first it appears that Mottau came across ice — Scott Stevens-esque — and went Chris Simon all over Franz Nielsen. Then the slow-mo replays and alternate angles come into play. If you really analyze the play, Mike Mottau found himself out of position. (I know, what a surprise.) In an attempt to cover his tracks, he came across the ice at the streaking Nielsen and attempted to lower the boom — one that I felt all the way up in section 232.

There is a split second right before Mottau makes contact with Nielsen that Franz realizes he is in trouble and tries to dodge the hit by angling his body back and to the side. By doing so, he actually caused more of a problem for himself. If Nielsen had braced and took the hit rather than trying to avoid it, Mottau’s elbow would have made contact with Nielsen’s shoulder and not the side of the head. It looks as though Mottau, in a reaction to Nielsen’s quick movement, over-corrected himself and came up way too high, thus causing the blow to the head. Intentional? Absolutely not.

== THE INSTIGATOR RULE NEEDS TO GO ==

As if the wuss-ification of the NHL hasn’t run rampant enough, it’s becoming almost impossible to stand up for a teammate nowadays. Trent Hunter did what is expected of a tough-guy after your teammate gets knocked into the ninth dimension — go right after the guy who hit him. It was clear that Nielsen was injured and Hunter took things into his own hands. It’s something I’m sure Mottau expected to deal with as soon as he laid the hit, and to his credit he manned up and even took down Hunter as well. I’m glad Hunter stepped up as too often you see guys shy away in fear of facing disciplinary action themselves.

== THOUGHTS ON THE SUSPENSION ==

At first I was relieved to hear it was only two games. But after watching the replay over and over and taking in all the different camera angles, I began to feel maybe a fine would have done just as well.

In the same sense, I understand why the league handed down the suspension. The amount of head-shots has been staggering in the past two or three years and if this is their way of sending a message to players league-wide, then I’m okay with Mottau being used as an example. At least they didn’t spin that big wheel-o-discipline they have in Toronto and hand out a ten-gamer.

== ALL-IN-ALL ==

Given the nature of Mike Mottau’s game and his character on and off the ice, I fully believe the hit was not an intent to injure. Although Mottau did come up high on Nielsen, it was a result of read-and-react to an unexpected reaction…if that made any sense. Mottau will serve his suspension honorably and thankfully nothing else came of the incident — except Bill Guerin running his mouth last night. But we’ll forgive him.

From everyone here at 2ManAdvantage.com, we wish the Islanders the best of luck in the remainder of the season and a speedy recovery to Franz Nielsen.

Hey, if anything this has the potential to spice up a dead rivalry.