This are tough decisions for the National Hockey League Department of Player Safety, and then there was Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Nikita Nesterov’s hit on Curtis McKenzie of the Dallas Stars, which earned Nesterov a two-game suspension on Friday.
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The incident occurred at 15:56 of the second period.
In explaining the suspension, the Department of Player Safety stated “the onus was entirely on Nesterov to avoid the check or, at the very least, minimize it” since McKenzie’s back was to him.
Officials handed Nesterov a five-minute major and game misconduct, according to Smith. Thursday’s game was McKenzie’s first of the season. The Stars did not provide any update on his condition, only that he was taken to hospital.
The 22-year-old Nesterov will forfeit $7,983 in salary to go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
Nesterov said this morning that he did not intend to hurt McKenzie, and the hit was a “bad situation”. The Central Division club has recalled 21 year old centre Radek Faksa from the AHL’s Texas Stars in his absence; when the team has a clearer understanding of McKenzie’s injuries, the team will give a more detailed timetable in regards to the veteran’s return.
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As Raw Charge notes, this suspension plus Victor Hedman’s injury will test the Bolts’ defensive depth.
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