The NHL Department of Player Safety suspended Vancouver Canucks defenseman Carson Soucy for one game for his cross-check to the face of Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid on Sunday night.
The decision to ban Soucy for Game 4 of the Western Conference second-round series came Monday afternoon, several hours after a phone hearing between the player and the league.
Canucks defenseman Nikita Zadorov was fined $5,000 for his cross-check to McDavid in the same sequence. It’s the maximum amount allowed by the collective bargaining agreement.
After the final horn, McDavid was cross-checked in the back by Zadorov, pushing him into Soucy’s cross-check to the face. Soucy received a two-minute minor for the hit, but it was moot since it came after the horn.
In an explanation video, a Department of Player Safety official said Soucy’s cross-check still “merit supplemental discipline” even though Zadorov’s hit changed McDavid’s position first.
“This play happens well after the game has ended, and it is not a hockey play,” the official said. “In an altercation with an opponent, Soucy chooses to raise his stick to an unacceptably high level, draws the stick back and delivers a two-handed blow, which lands to his opponent’s head.”
Soucy, who has previously been suspended one game for charging in 2021, will miss Game 4 on Tuesday night in Edmonton. Noah Juulsen is likely to draw in to Vancouver’s lineup in Soucy’s place.
The Canucks won the game 4-3 to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinals.
Soucy had three hits and two blocks in 17:48 of ice time Sunday night. He has three assists in the series vs. the Oilers.
McDavid was held without a point in 29:42 of ice time Sunday night. He has five points (one goal, four assists) in the series.
–Field Level Media
