The Department of Player Safety announced that they have suspended Philadelphia Flyers forward Jakub Voracek two games for interference on New York Islanders forward Johnny Boychuk. Both Jack Eichel and Voracek were informed this morning that they would receive a hearing for their hits, but the DoPS started with Voracek, whose team plays on Monday, while Buffalo doesn’t play again until Tuesday.
Voracek back-checked a streaking Boychuk in the third period of Saturday’s game (video here), although some feel that Boychuk was making a run at Voracek and not the puck. However, the Department of Player Safety didn’t see it that way as they handed him a two-game suspension for it. Boychuk is currently undergoing concussion protocol and is questionable for Monday’s game against Columbus.
The 29-year-old Voracek will miss the next two games, including Monday’s game against Ottawa as well as Thursday’s home game against division-leading Washington. CapFriendly reports that since Voracek isn’t a repeat defender, his two-game suspension will cost him $88,709.68 in salary.
wow, 2 games for basically being run into the back of. Seems like a lot given Boychuk didn’t really seem to be trying to avoid the hit, and they are playing, you know, hockey.
And Mallon gets a one game for a stick violation?? Hmmmmm. The department of “player safety” is the biggest joke in professional sports.
Malkin
The department of safety for the NHL is a JOKE.
Evander Kane almost gets his head taken off with a head to head hit and the department of DUMB ASSES say it was a clean hit. What a bunch of BS. Your judgment needs to be consistent. It should have been a 2 or 3 game suspension.
Wow, you should watch the play, voracek throws a shoulder to head to an unsuspecting Boychuk, the puck was not near either player. That’s why Boychuk wouldn’t be ready for a check giving to him.
You are a philly fan, but are you that blind??
That’s 100% a suspendible hit. He looks directly at Boychuk and even if he didn’t mean to hit him that high, he did.
The point is not the fact that Voracek was suspended or didn’t deserve it. It’s about the completely arbitrary manner that punishments are handed down.
im not blind enough to think that Boychuk collided with anything but Voracek’s back. In hockey guys interfere with eachother all the time, and rightfully revieved a major. but saying he throw his shoulder at him is blatantly wrong, unless his back twists in weird ways.
I’m not a philly fan and I think the suspension is ridiculous. Boychuk skated into voracek. It’s like driving into the back of a transport trailer and then complaining the truck should not have been there. And for the record, a former pugilist who would not have even played in today’s NHL is the one handling suspensions. Complete joke. And I actually like Parros, he’s well spoken whenever I hear him interviewed. But still…
Agreed
What a joke!
The NHL is a joke