New Jersey Devils left winger Timo Meier is suspended for cross-checking the Nashville Predators' Zachary L'Heureux in the third period.
Timo Meier is escorted off the ice after receiving a game misconduct penalty against the Nashville Predators on Nov. 25.The NHL's player safety department suspended New Jersey Devils left winger Timo Meier for one game after after-whistle cross-checking.
Meier will miss Wednesday's game against the St. Louis Blues after getting ejected from Monday's matchup between the Devils and Nashville Predators. He'll also forfeit $45,833.33 in salary to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
With less than eight minutes to go in the third period, Meier drove the net for a scoring opportunity but couldn't capitalize and grow the Devils' 4-2 lead. After the whistle blew for a frozen puck, Predators left winger Zachary L'Heureux shoved Meier away from the crease.
Meier responded to the shove by cross-checking L'Heureux in the chest and then in the face, causing L'Heureux to fall to the ice. He received a game misconduct and a five-minute major penalty.
"This is not a case in which two players are mutually engaged with their sticks up high, nor is it a case in which the blow rides up a player's body before making contact with the head," said NHL Player Safety's video explaining the suspension. "Players are responsible for their stick at all times and are not excused from their actions just because a blow lands in an unintended place on the opponent or with unintended force."
Meier has only been fined once in his career, which the department deemed irrelevant in this case. It came in March 2019 for embellishment.
In 24 games this season, Meier has seven goals and eight assists for 15 points. L'Heureux, meanwhile, is playing in his first NHL season. In 17 games, he has two goals and three assists for five points.
The Devils added an empty-netter for a 5-2 win over Nashville.
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