Winnipeg Jets forward Evander Kane has been suspended two games by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for a hit from behind on Anaheim Ducks defenseman Clayton Stoner.
Kane drove right through the numbers on Stoner with just eleven seconds to play in the second period of Sunday’s game. Stoner was not injured on the play.
Referees Chris Rooney and Brian Pochmara gave Kane a five-minute major for boarding with a game misconduct. Now, the league has handed out a bit more punishment, suspending the Winnipeg winger for two games. This is Kane’s first NHL suspension.
“Kane crashes into Stoner from behind, driving him dangerously into the glass. This is boarding,” says the Department of Player Safety. Throughout the play, the report goes on, Kane “sees nothing but Stoner’s numbers.”
The Department of Player Safety felt it was up to Kane to “avoid this check completely or, at the very least, minimize contact. Kane does neither.”
Kane will forfeit $56,451.62 of his salary, which will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. No word on if the league will make him do pushups with his fine amount on his back as part of his punishment:
