Update: Kassian had been suspended for three games.

 

Canucks right winger Zack Kassian will be hearing from the NHL today.

In the first period of Thursday night’s game between Dallas and Vancouver, the Canucks got off to a rough start. Just 12 minutes in, they were already trailing 3-0.

For a Vancouver team that was 1-9-1 in their last eleven, that’s frustrating. That’s when things started getting chippy.

Brenden Dillon and Antoine Roussel took exception to Alex Burrows, with all three heading off with minor penalties. Less than 14 seconds after Stars defenseman Brenden Dillon left the box, he was crushed by Vancouver’s Zack Kassian. Kassian hit Dillon from behind, driving him into the boards along the player benches.

Kassian was given a major for boarding and a game misconduct.

Dillion, while shaken up on the play, did return to the game.  Coach Lindy Ruff was thrilled to see him back on the ice:

“I was relieved to get him back.  It was definitely a shot from behind.  Those are tough hits and the best retribution is make the other team play on the power play.  He didn’t come from a long way but Dillon was in a bad position when he got hit.”

Canucks coach John Tortorella agreed.

 

This is not Kassian’s first offense this season. He missed time earlier this season for a nasty high stick on the Oilers’ Sam Gagner, which makes him a repeat offender.


Call now! Zack Kassian is standing by…