Blackhawks' Keith offered in-person hearing for stick-swinging incident

Duncan Keith will have an opportunity to plead his case at the NHL offices.

The Chicago Blackhawks defenseman has been offered an in-person hearing to answer for hitting Minnesota Wild forward Charlie Coyle in the face with his stick Tuesday night.

Keith was ejected from the game and handed a match penalty for the incident.

With two previous suspensions, Keith is a repeat offender, but doesn't qualify as one by NHL standards because the previous infractions didn't occur within the last 18 months.

The offer for an in-person hearing means the league may decide to suspend Keith for six games or more, and he remains suspended until a hearing takes place.

The Blackhawks have five games remaining in the regular season.