Jason Zucker suspended 3 games, Nick Cousins in concussion protocol after boarding incident in Arizona
Cousins will miss Florida's game in Las Vegas on Thursday
The NHL Department has decided to impose a harsh penalty on Jason Zucker of the Arizona Coyotes for his hit on Florida’s Nick Cousins during Tuesday’s game at Mullett Arena.
Zucker was assessed a five-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct for the hit on Cousins that occurred during Florida’s 4-1 win.
Less than 24 hours later, it was announced that Zucker would be suspended for three games.
The incident came during the final minute of the second period. Cousins had just hit Coyotes defenseman Yotes’ Juuso Valimaki while the young Finn was in a vulnerable position on the ice and next to the boards, and though it appeared Cousins let up before coming into contact with Valimaki, and he appeared to suffer no ill effects from the check, Zucker made a beeline for Cousins.
Cousins left the game after the hit, playing one shift before ultimately being removed with an upper-body injury.
He wasn’t seen on the ice during Florida’s practice on Wednesday in Vegas, and Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice revealed that Cousins had been placed in the concussion protocol.
Jonah Gadjovich is expected to take Cousins’ place in Florida’s lineup on Thursday when they face the Golden Knights.
The NHL DOPS announced Wednesday that it would have a hearing with Zucker regarding the hit, and the results of that hearing came in soon after.
In its video explanation, the league states, "Zucker insists this play was not done in retribution," which seems like a stretch based on both the situation and the video evidence.
Ultimately, Zucker will forfeit $82,812.51 of his contract to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund, under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players.
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