Winnipeg Jets defenceman Jacob Trouba has been suspended for two games, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced Monday.
Winnipeg’s Jacob Trouba suspended two games for an illegal check to the head on Ottawa’s Mark Stone. https://t.co/sEB3Wxy8BQ
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) February 20, 2017
Winnipeg Jets Jacob Trouba Suspended Two Games
Jacob Trouba has been suspended for an illegal check to the head of Ottawa Senators forward Mark Stone which took place during the Jets 3-2 win over Ottawa on Sunday.
In the middle of the third period, Stone took the puck into the Jets zone while being tailed by defenders. As Stone entered the blue line to make a pass, Trouba stepped up and delivered a hit with his elbow with Stone’s head as the main point of contact.
Mark Stone leaves the game after taking a hit to the head from #Jets Jacob Trouba. Ouch. #WPGvsOTT pic.twitter.com/qic4dJUuoz
— Alan (@AlanDownward) February 20, 2017
Trouba was assessed a two-minute minor penalty for the illegal check to the head at the time. Stone laid on the ice for a few minutes after the hit as he gained medical attention. He left the game, and has suffered an injury as a result of the hit.
“It’s a clear hit to the head with the shoulder,” Senators coach Guy Boucher told reporters. “It’s one of the best players in the league, so, I mean, I think everybody saw the same thing.”
The suspension mirrors a similar play during the Jets game in Pittsburgh on Thursday where the Jets were on the receiving end. Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin left his feet to hit Jets captain Blake Wheeler in the head. Malkin did not receive any punishment for the hit, among much controversy.
In 47 games played this season, Trouba has put up five goals and 19 assists for 24 points. He sits seventh in points on the team, second amongst defenceman. Trouba also ranks fifth on the team in average time on ice, averaging about 24:45 per game.
The Jets will play the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night. Winnipeg currently sit fifth in the Central Division, one point of the second wild card spot in the West.
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