The NHL’s Department of Player Safety suspended Boston Bruins defenceman Jeremy Lauzon for two games for his Illegal Check to the Head on Arizona Coyotes forward Derek Stepan.
Boston’s Jeremy Lauzon has been suspended for two games for an Illegal Check to the Head on Arizona’s Derek Stepan. Video explanation to follow shortly.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) February 9, 2020
Jeremy Lauzon Two Suspended Games
During Lauzon’s hearing with the Department of Player Safety on Sunday, the league reviewed the incident. With little time before the next game, the league had to make a decision quickly. With Stepan returning the game, Lauzon’s avoided a suspension longer than two games. The incident happened during the Bruins 4-2 win over the Coyotes on Saturday night. Late in the first period, Lauzon received a match penalty and was ejected for his hit on Stepan. Of course, Lauzon did not mean to make head contact with Stepan, but the young defenceman has to know better not to finish his checks near the head.
So far this season, Lauzon has seen two stints with the big club after starting the year in the AHL. In seven games with the Bruins this season, Lauzon has registered one goal.
Going Forward
With the Bruins playing back-to-back games and less than 24 hours apart, the team needed to recall a player from the AHL. General manager Don Sweeney announced the team recalled defenceman Urho Vaakanainen the Providence Bruins of the AHL. Vaakanainen made his debut with the big club back on November 12 and stayed with the team for five games before being sent back down to the minors. In 42 games this season with Providence, the defenceman has 12 points (four goals and eight assists).
Main Photo:
