Coyotes forward Jason Zucker has been assessed a three game suspension for boarding Nick Cousins.
Arizona Coyotes forward Jason Zucker has officially been suspended three games for boarding Florida Panthers forward Nick Cousins in a game on Tuesday night.
Zucker hit Cousins in the second period of the Coyotes 4-1 loss which resulted in a 10-minute game misconduct, a five-minute fighting penalty and a five-minute major for boarding.
The incident occurred immediately after a hit involving Cousins and Coyotes defenseman Juuso Välimäki.
Due to the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Zucker will forfeit $82,812.51. All of this money will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
It seemed at practice on Wednesday that coach André Tourigny was expecting a suspension, but the team still fully has Zucker’s back.
“It’s the same way on how we absorb the other guys missing this year,” Tourigny said. “It’s unfortunate, but at the same time we are 100 percent behind Zucker and it’s the next man up.”
The 31-year-old has six goals, six assists and 12 points in 29 games.