He really went off the deep end on this one.
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tucker Poolman has been suspended two games for high sticking Colorado’s Kiefer Sherwood.
The incident occurred at 10:21 of the third period with Colorado leading 6-1. Sherwood checked Poolman after he moved the puck in the defensive zone. Poolman flagrantly swung his stick, the shaft hitting Sherwood in the side of the head.
Poolman was given a match penalty by referees Gord Dwyer and Chris Schlenker.
60.4 Match Penalty – When, in the opinion of the Referee, a player attempts to or deliberately injures an opponent while carrying or holding any part of his stick above the shoulders of the opponent, the Referee shall assess a match penalty to the offending player.
Sherwood was not injured on the play.
“This is not a hockey play,” said the NHL’s Department of Player Safety. “This is an intentional and retaliatory stick swing that strikes an opponent directly in the head, and such actions cannot be excused.”
The Vancouver defenseman forfeits $25,000 in salary as a result of the suspension.
