Anaheim Ducks Third Overall Pick in the 2024 NHL draft Beckett Sennecke (Natalie Shaver/OHL Images)The Ontario Hockey League suspended one of the league's most skilled forwards, and it's a suspect decision at best.
Oshawa Generals' star winger Beckett Sennecke — Anaheim Ducks' third overall pick from the 2024 NHL draft — received a match penalty for a slew foot in the second period against the Ottawa 67's on Friday, Mar. 14.
After Sennecke finished his hit behind Ottawa's net, he re-engaged in the board battle but took out 67's defenseman Matthew Mayich from behind, which the referees deemed was a slew foot.
The play can be seen in the video below.
This was very timid and far from egregious compared to other slew foot infractions. It's still a reckless play, but probably only worthy of a two-minute minor for tripping.
The OHL disagreed and assessed an automatic two-game suspension to Sennecke.
A match penalty is usually only given when the player's infraction on the play resulted in an injury. Mayich got up a little gingerly, but he skated off on his own power and was not injured on the play.
The Generals' forward's two-game suspension was an odd call. Regardless, because Sennecke was ejected from the game before the ten-minute mark in the second period, he served one game of his suspension that night.
Oshawa was already shorthanded to start the game, missing star centerman Calum Ritchie and defenseman Andrew Gibson. They would go on to lose 3-2 to the 67's.
The Generals were without Sennecke for their Sunday tilt against the Sudbury Wolves. They missed his offensive flair, but pulled out the 3-2 win to stay within reaching range of the Brantford Bulldogs for first in the East as we enter the last week of regular season play.
