This is the first time Lockwood has been disciplined by the NHL Department of Player Safety
This is the first time Lockwood has been disciplined by the NHL Department of Player Safety
The Florida Panthers will be without one of their key depth forwards for the next several games.
On Saturday, the NHL Department of Player Safety held a hearing with Panthers forward Will Lockwood regarding his hit on Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury during the game between Florida and the Wild on Friday night.
Lockwood was penalized for goaltender interference for the play, but the NHL DOPS decided that there needed to be consequences that were a bit more severe.
As a result, Lockwood has been suspended three games for the hit.
In the NHL DOPS’ explanation video, the meat of their reasoning behind issuing a three-game suspension to a player with no history of discipline was that Lockwood should have done more to avoid the hit.
“It is important to note that while Lockwood argues that the contact on this play was not intentional, it is at the very least reckless due to his speed and angle of approach," the video states. "Lockwood is squared up and leaning towards Fleury at contact and does not get his upper body against the boards until after contact is made. Lockwood is in control of this play at all times and chooses to forecheck with high speed and take an angle of approach that puts him on a direct path towards making forceful and direct contact with Fleury. The onus is on Lockwood to change his angle of his approach, lower his speed, or otherwise find a way to avoid or minimize a forceful hit directly to the head of an opponent.”
Fleury did not finish the game, staying on the ice for a few more minutes before ultimately being ruled out with an upper-body injury.
Lockwood also left Friday’s game early after being punched in the face during a fight with the Wild’s Brandon Duhaime.
Barring an appeal, Lockwood won’t be eligible to play for Florida until Saturday, Jan. 27 when the Panthers are in Long Island, Florida’s last game before the All-Star Break.
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