Johan Larsson Suspended Two Games For Cross-Checking

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has announced another ruling, this time suspending Buffalo Sabres forward Johan Larsson for two games following his cross-check last night on Vincent Trocheck. As the accompanying video explains:

Players are responsible for their stick at all times. When a player attempts to intentionally use his stick to deliver a blow to an opponent, he cannot necessarily be excused of all responsibility when the blow lands in an unintentional place.

Larsson clearly attempted to cross-check Trocheck in the shoulder, but will now serve an extra two games and sacrifice some salary for the mistake. It also will put a first strike on his record that had otherwise been free of any supplementary discipline.

The Sabres will now have to go without one of their centers for the next few games, in which they take on tough matchups against the St. Louis Blues and Anaheim Ducks. Larsson is eligible to return on February 8th.