EDMONTON - One of Taylor Hall’s objectives this season was to do more of the hunting, rather than be the hunted.

So regardless of the fact he now has a record with the NHL’s department of player safety, he intends to continue to play hard. And if that means delivering a hit late in the game to ignite his team, that’s what the Edmonton Oilers winger is going to do.

“I’ve tried to change my game a little bit in respect to not getting hit as much, but as far as being physical and trying to play clean hockey, that’s not going to change,” Hall said on Sunday. One night earlier, he had served the first instalment of the two-game suspension he received for his open-ice, late third period knee-on-thigh hit on Cal Clutterbuck of the Minnesota Wild.

“I’m not a dirty player and I felt bad seeing him on the ice ... but I’m still going to try and play clean and play physical.”

Hall will serve the second game of the suspension on Monday when the Oilers open their nine-game road trip against the red-hot Chicago Blackhawks.

Hall’s suspension had been handed down by NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan who deemed that Clutterbuck did not have possession of the puck when Hall made the decision to step up and deliver a low check.

Hall’s first point of contact was with his knee, resulting in a major and a game misconduct in addition to the two-game suspension. He will be eligible to return for Thursday’s game against the Dallas Stars.

Clutterbuck, who sustained a thigh contusion, did not play in the Wild’s game against the Calgary Flames on Saturday.

Hall defended the play in a telephone hearing with Shanahan on Friday.

“I had a couple of minutes to explain my side of the story and he explains what he saw, but the video was kind of damning,” Hall continued. “It looked bad so I can understand where (Shanahan) was coming from on some parts. Other parts we disagreed on.

“I anticipated that he would get full possession of the puck, then I go through my check. It kind of bounced away in a weird way ... like I said the video didn’t look great on my part so I guess that’s why he gave me two games.

“It really sucks being out of the lineup,” Hall continued, “and it’s a weird feeling being out when you’re not hurt. I respect the league’s decision ... and when I come back hopefully I’ll be even better. I’ll have a little bit of rest.”

jireland@edmontonjournal.com

Twitter.com/jirelandEJ