Vancouver Canucks defenseman Carson Soucy will miss Game 4 after cross-checking Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid after Game 3.
The Vancouver Canucks will be without defenseman Carson Soucy for Game 4 against the Edmonton Oilers.
Soucy received a one-game suspension by the NHL Department of Player Safety for cross-checking Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid after Game 3 on Sunday.
As noted in the department's video explaining the suspension, Soucy shoved McDavid, who retaliated with a slash to the leg.
Soucy slashed McDavid back, then raised his stick with both hands, drew his stick back and delivered a forceful, two-handed cross-check that made direct contact with McDavid's head. He was assessed a minor penalty at the time.
NHL Player Safety noted that Canucks defenseman Nikita Zadorov cross-checked McDavid in the back as Soucy delivered his cross-check. Zadorov was fined $5,000 as a result.
"We acknowledge Soucy's argument that the cross-check by Zadorov is forceful enough to cause a change in McDavid's position and may contribute to Soucy's cross-check landing to the head," the video said. "However, this does not change the fact that Soucy's actions merit supplemental discipline."
The cross-check happened after the game ended and is not a hockey play, the video added.
While the video mentioned in text Soucy had no relevant history before this cross-check, the speaker noted he has been suspended once before for a high hit on then-Arizona Coyotes winger Conor Garland and fined once for roughing then-Winnipeg Jets center Pierre-Luc Dubois.
Soucy, a 29-year-old left-shot blueliner from Viking, Alta., will miss Game 4 on Tuesday night. He has four assists in nine playoff games this season and has averaged 17:26 of ice time per game.
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