Veteran Center Punished For Charging In Thursday's Loss To Edmonton
Add a suspension to the injuries and illnesses which wrecked havoc on the Seattle Kraken's just-completed six game road trip.
Practice at Kraken Community Iceplex Saturday was missing defenseman Vince Dunn and center Matty Beniers (injured), as well as forward Jaden Schwartz, Jordan Eberle, and Kailer Yamamoto (presumed ill).
Kraken center Yanni Gourde (37) closes in on Oiler Mattias Ekholm (14).Center Yanni Gourde fully participated in practice - but won't for the next two Kraken games, Sunday vs. Toronto and Wednesday vs. Chicago at Climate Pledge Arena.
The NHL Department of Player Safety suspended Gourde two games for a hit on Mattias Ekholm late in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. Their reasoning:
Gourde leaves his feet and makes contact with Ekholm's head, which resulted in a 2-game suspension."This is not a case of a player elevating slightly as part of a natural hitting motion.
"Gourde elevates unnecessarily, launching up into a check that makes significant contact with Ekholm's head.
"If Gourde wishes to deliver this check legally, he must stay low and hit through Ekholm's shoulder or core, rather than elevating upward and into his head."
