The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced that Montreal Candiens forward Michael Pezzetta has been suspended for the next two games for an illegal check to the head of Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie.
The hit occurred in the third period of Saturday’s game in which the Capitals won 8-4.
“On this play both elements of the illegal check to the head rule are satisfied,” the NHL’s DOPS explains in the ruling video. “First, Oshie’s head is the main point of contact on this hit. Pezzetta hits forcefully through Oshie’s head with his right shoulder, making no meaningful contact with any other part of Oshie’s body.
“Second, the head contact on this play is avoidable. While Oshie does make a play on the puck, he does not change the position of his head or body just prior to contact in a way that significantly attributes to the head being the main point of contact.”
This is Pezzetta’s first suspension in the NHL. He’ll forfeit $7,500 in salary.
