I think you are misreading the situation. Firstly, you presume to know what Hyman "hopes", which is the basis for your argument that he's a "gutless puke". I see no history to support that, nor can we read minds, no matter how much we feel like we can.
What you perceive to be a "cross check" is probably better understood as an attempt to brace to get his weight off of Forsberg. There's no force to the move, and the only thing that resembles a cross check is that he is lifting himself off whilst holding on to his stick. Were it a cross check, you'd expect Hyman to move his shoulders and elbows back to exert force into the check, but he does absolutely none of that.
Moreover, once Hamonic pushes Hyman, his left leg is already touching Forsberg's pad and he is locked up against Holden with his right foot. Since he cannot put any weight forward to brace against the push from Hamonic, he's bound to fall forward - but there's little to suggest that he launches into this. I'd argue that it would be difficult to fall any softer in that situation.