Andrew Shaw didn’t wait long to make his presence felt in the bleu, blanc, et rouge. The rugged forward only saw 12:27 of ice time in his Canadiens debut before being ejected from the game. Now he’ll miss his club’s next three.
Shaw was suspended three games for boarding Washington’s Connor Hobbs with 2:10 to play in Tuesday night’s preseason tilt.
Shaw’s night came to a close with 30 minutes in penalties: five for boarding, five for fighting, a misconduct, and a game misconduct courtesy of referees Dave Jackson and Pierre Lambert. Lambert, hired over the summer, was making his NHL preseason debut.
The NHL’s Director of Player Safety, former Canadien Stephane Quintal, wasn’t happy with the hit.
Quintal, on the press box in Toronto, about Shaw’s check from behind:”Just saw it and I don’t like it.” #Ch #habs
— Jonathan Bernier (@JBernierJDM) September 28, 2016
From the NHL:
Montreal Canadiens forward Andrew Shaw has been suspended for three preseason games for boarding Washington Capitals defenseman Connor Hobbs during NHL Preseason Game No. 21 in Montreal on Tuesday, Sept. 27, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today. The incident occurred at 17:50 of the second period. Shaw was assessed a major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct.
Shaw has been suspended before. He sat for three games in 2012 after steamrolling Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith during the playoffs. He also missed one game for use of a homophobic slur directed at the officials. He narrowly avoided suspension for a head-butt last March, though his style of play often has him under the watchful eye of Player Safety.
As no salaries are paid during the preseason, Shaw will not lose any salary as a result of this suspension.
He’s eligible to return in time for the Canadiens’ October 4th preseason game against the Boston Bruins.
