The National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced Sunday evening that Washington Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik has been suspended three games for interference. The supension comes after his hit to the head on Pittsburgh Penguins’ defenseman Olli Maatta early into Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Saturday. The Department conducted a phone hearing with Orpik early Sunday afternoon. As Olli Maatta skated towards the back of the net, and the puck had left his stick, Orpik came in for a hit and proceeded to hit Maatta high, making contact with the head. Orpik would go on to receive a two minute minor penalty for interference and Olli Maatta would leave the game. Maatta did not return and his status is unknown. Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan says the team will know more about Maatta and his condition come Monday.
As for Brooks Orpik, he will be missing the Capitals next three games, games three, four, and five, and will make his return for game six, (If the series reaches that far) on May 10th. Orpik himself is just returning from a head injury suffered in the Capitals’ round one series against the Philadelphia Flyers. Brooks Orpik has zero goals and zero assists in five post season games played in the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Main Photo Credit:
Main Photo Caption: WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 30: Brooks Orpik #44 of the Washington Capitals and Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins battle for the puck during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center on April 30, 2016 in Washington, DC. The Penguins won 2-1. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
