Ottawa Senators forward Mike Hoffman has been suspended two games by the NHL‘s Department of Player Safety for cross-checking San Jose Sharks forward Logan Couture. In addition to being suspended, Hoffman will also be fined $57,638.88, equivalent to two games of salary.
Vicious cross-check from Mike Hoffman to the back of Logan Couture’s head. Five-minute major. Brutal. pic.twitter.com/phwAuVNY7D
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) December 15, 2016
The incident happened with 12:11 left in the third period while the game was tied. Hoffman was given a five minute major and a game misconduct for the play. This comes as no surprise as this is the kind of play that the League wants out of the game. The only question was how long Hoffman was going to be suspended. The 27-year old sniper is fortunate that he will be absent for just two games.
It’s very hard to defend Hoffman in this situation as there’s just no need for that kind of play during a game. Couture agreed:
“I expect a suspension, but who knows what they’re going to do,” Couture said. “We’ll see. I’m extremely lucky I’m not very, very badly hurt. … It looked like he intended to injure me, so I hope he gets suspended.”
-Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks Center
The Senators will the New Jersey Devils on Saturday and then travel to Brooklyn to play the New York Islanders on Sunday. Hoffman will be able to return on Tuesday when the Senators play the Chicago Blackhawks. The former member of four different junior teams has scored nine goals on the season and has posted 21 points in 28 games played. Couture has lit the lamp 11 times netting 20 points in 30 contests.
The two teams will not meet again for the rest of the regular season, having each game a week apart from each other. The Sens took the December 7th contest 4-2 in San Jose, while the Sharks exacted revenge with a 4-3 shootout triumph last night.
Quote courtesy of The Mercury News
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