He might have difficulty making Jason Chimera believe that.

The Blue Jackets forward said Belanger's blind-side hit on Friday night -- one that left Chimera bloody and concussed -- was dirty and worthy of suspension. Chimera was taken from the ice on a stretcher during an exhibition game and kept overnight for observation in a St. Paul, Minn., hospital.

"I didn't have one bit of intention of hurting Jason Chimera," Belanger told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "I don't think I'm a dirty player. I talk about protecting players all the time. That's why I felt so bad after the game.

"Even if I would have been frustrated with Jason Chimera, I never would have done that."

Chimera was deep in the defensive zone trying to help clear the puck when Belanger hit the big winger from behind. Belanger said the Jackets veteran had just turned his back prior to impact, a contention Chimera disputes.

"He shoved me right between the numbers (on back of the jersey)," Chimera said. "What does the guy need, a big stop sign like minor hockey does back in Canada? It's just disappointing coming from a guy who's been in the league a while . . . Maybe I could understand it if was a young kid running around, trying to make an impression with some big hits, but he's been in the league for a long time."

Belanger, assessed a five-minute boarding penalty, is hardly known as a dirty player. He has registered one major penalty (elbowing) in 557 regular-season games.

The Wild forward is not expected to receive supplemental discipline from the NHL.

Belanger's history as a clean player doesn't excuse the hit, Chimera said.

"(Belanger) said he's never done that before, that he's had only one five-minute major, but the same is true if you shoot somebody," Chimera said. "You only have to shoot somebody once to be dirty."

Neither Belanger nor Chimera played in last night's rematch in Nationwide Arena. Chimera, who also got hit in the mouth with a puck earlier in Friday's game, complained of a stiff neck and suffered cuts to his forehead and face.

Chimera was experiencing no headaches, and his neck was feeling better yesterday, he said. There's no timetable for his return, but general manager Scott Howson considers Chimera's injury day to day.

The hit has taught Chimera to keep his chinstrap tightened, he said. It was loose at the time of Belanger's check.

Slap shots

Raffi Torres left last night's game in the second period because of back spasms. He is day to day. ... Forward Tom Sestito required 10 staples to close a gash in the back of his head suffered Saturday in Nashville. Sestitio was injured when his head hit the ice during a fight with the Predators' Jordin Tootoo . . . Each season, Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock assembles a "leadership group" from his veteran players. They are captain Rick Nash, Antoine Vermette, Mike Commodore, R.J. Umberger, Fredrik Modin and Rostislav Klesla.

treed@dispatch.com