The NHL Department of Player Safety has Ottawa’s Mark Borowiecki on speed dial. The league need only to access its’ recent calls for their latest phone hearing — one which resulted in a three-game ban for the Sens’ blue liner.
Mark Borowiecki has been suspended three games for an illegal hit to the head of Las Vegas Golden Knights winger Cody Eakin.
Borowiecki’s suspension is his second in the past week. The Senators’ defenseman missed one game due to an elbowing suspension. He returned to the Sens’ lineup on Sunday, where he picked up a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for charging Eakin. Now he’s also been hit with a three game suspension by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety.
The hit took place at 15:29 of the first period during Sunday’s game in Las Vegas, a 4-3 overtime win by the Golden Knights.
In just 3:25 of ice time since his past suspension, Borowiecki picked up 20 minutes in penalties and is will now miss the Sens’ next three games.
Borowiecki was given a major penalty for charging, which requires a mandatory game misconduct, by the veteran referee pairing of Wes McCauley and Dean Morton.
From Rule 42 – Charging:
A minor or major penalty shall be imposed on a player who skates or jumps into, or charges an opponent in any manner. Charging shall mean the actions of a player who, as a result of distance traveled, shall violently check an opponent in any manner. A“charge” may be the result of a check into the boards, into the goal frame or in open ice.
The Referee, at his discretion, may assess a minor penalty, based on the degree of violence of the check, to a player guilty of charging an opponent.
The Referee, at his discretion, may assess a major penalty, based on the degree of violence of the check, to a player guilty of charging an opponent. When a major penalty is imposed under this rule for a foul resulting in an injury to the face or head of an opponent, a game misconduct shall be imposed.
Eakin was injured on the play and did not return to the game.
Vegas coach Gerard Gallant said that, though the hit may not have been intentional, it was the right call because the hit was to the head.
“It was a big hit. I don’t think Borowiecki wanted to go over there and exactly hit Cody Eakin in the head,” Gallant told TSN. “But the puck came to Cody right there and he was coming in with a lot of speed. It was definitely the right call, but I don’t think there was any intent to try and hurt the guy.”
Borowiecki forfeits $43,902.45 in salary as a result of the suspension.
For all 2018-19 suspensions and fines: NHL Suspension & Fine Tracker
