Zdeno Chara: Boston Bruins Star Avoids Suspension from NHL, Police Probe Pending

Zdeno Chara may have been involved in one of the ugliest on-ice incidents in the last decade, but the NHL has officially ruled that no suspension will be necessary for the 33-year-old veteran.

In the second period of a game against the Montreal Canadians a few short nights ago, Chara became tangled up with Canadians' winger, Max Pacioretti.

Pacioretti eventually got in between Chara and the boards, and was pushed violently into the turnbuckle that helps support the doorway of the visiting bench. Chara would be suspended for the remainder of the game, but Pacioretti seems to have gotten the worse of the exchange as he left the ice on stretcher.

The NHL apparently investigated the situation, but did not see anything that warranted a suspension as league experts were quick to defend Chara and praise his style of physical play. ESPN Analyst Barry Melrose said "Chara is a large, physical player and even though the hit did not look good, it was obviously not his intention to hurt him."

The Montreal Police department may not feel the same way as it was reported here that the cops will potentially be looking into Chara's intentions and even pressing criminal charges against him.

This type of negative publicity could not come at a worse time for the Bruins as Boston is attempting to work their way back into playoff form.

Boston currently sits at third in the Eastern Conference and trails the Philadelphia Flyers by only four points.