The NHL Department of Player Safety announced that New Jersey Devils forward Miles Wood has been suspended for two games. This is his first career suspension.
New Jersey’s Miles Wood suspended two games for boarding Tampa Bay’s Vladislav Namestnikov. https://t.co/StgLpP1jj6
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) February 18, 2018
Miles Wood Suspended
Wood was suspended for two games and forfeited $9,946.24 in salary after an incident with Tampa Bay‘s Vladislav Namestnikov. The former Boston College product boarded Namestnikov after he tried to chip the pick out of the zone and Wood received two minutes for boarding because of the check.
League officials argued that Wood delivered a “hard, forceful hit directly into the numbers.” They stated that he had plenty of time to avoid the hit or minimize its impact. “From the moment Wood hits the top of the circle until contact is made, he sees nothing but Namestnikov’s numbers,” the NHL said in its video.
An altercation with Andrej Sustr caused a second penalty for Wood, which was for roughing. Sustr’s face was cut when his visor broke. However, both Tampa players returned to the game.
Wood has scored 15 goals and 10 assists for 25 points so far this season. He also added 67 minutes in penalties. His possession numbers were 50.4 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of 1.9.
Wood has played for the New Jersey Devils in his two-year career. He has scored 23 goals and dished out 19 assists for 42 career points in 117 career games. The New Jersey Devils originally drafted him in the 4th round, 100th overall of the 2013 NHL Draft.
Wood will miss Sunday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes and Tuesday’s matchup with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Wood will be eligible to return Thursday against the Minnesota Wild.
What This Means for the Future
New Jersey loses a player that uses speed to create plays and the winger is the second leading scorer on the club behind Taylor Hall. The Devils are in contention for a playoff spot and need Wood’s production.
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