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Kristen Shilton, ESPN NHL reporter
Vancouver defenseman Carson Soucy has been suspended one game for cross-checking Edmonton forward Connor McDavid in the face during Game 3 of their second-round Stanley Cup playoff series on Sunday.
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety made the announcement following a phone hearing with Soucy on Monday.
Soucy’s suspension stemmed from an altercation with McDavid late in the third period of Sunday’s game. Edmonton trailed 4-3 and was pressuring Vancouver while searching for an equalizing goal. The final buzzer sounded as Soucy and McDavid became engaged behind the net.
Despite the game being over, Soucy shoved McDavid and McDavid responded by slashing Soucy in the leg. Soucy slashed McDavid back — also in the leg — then elevated his stick in both hands and shoved it directly into McDavid’s face. McDavid was also cross-checked from behind at the same time by Canucks’ defenseman Nikita Zadorov, who was fined $5,000, and he fell to the ice.
Soucy was assessed a cross-checking penalty at the 20-minute mark of the third period for his offense. Zadorov did not receive a penalty.
In the video explaining the suspension, Player Safety stated that while they “acknowledged Soucy’s argument that the cross-check by Zadorov is forceful enough to cause a change in McDavid’s position and may contribute to Soucy’s cross-check landing to the head,” it was still a textbook cross-check deserving of its own punishment.
“The play happens well after the play has ended, and it is not a hockey play,” the video said. “Soucy chooses to raise his stick to an unacceptably high level, draws the stick back and delivers a two-handed blow which lands to his opponent’s head.”
This is the second suspension of Soucy’s career. He will miss Game 4 of the series on Tuesday, with Vancouver leading 2-1. The date for Game 5 hasn’t yet been announced.
McDavid on Monday said he “felt great” after the hit from Soucy.
“It’s a tough game,” McDavid said. “They’ve got big D-men. They make it hard on you. They play physical — a physical brand of hockey. It’s fun to be a part of.”
The Oilers’ captain has two goals and 17 points in eight postseason games.