Blues’ Sundqvist suspended for Sport three after hit
ST. LOUIS — Blues ahead Oskar Sundqvist has been suspended for Sport three of the Stanley Cup Last for delivering an elbow to the pinnacle of Boston Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk.
The NHL’s division of participant security introduced the suspension Thursday after a listening to with Sundqvist, who was assessed solely a two-minute minor penalty for boarding for the hit that knocked Grzelcyk out of Sport 2 and presumably longer.
Sundqvist and Grzelcyk are every out for Sport three on Saturday. Grzelcyk did not journey with the Bruins, and coach Bruce Cassidy mentioned the 25-year-old was in concussion protocol and thought of day-to-day.
“I do know they’re making an attempt to get these hits out of the sport,” Boston coach Bruce Cassidy mentioned. Both Steven Kampfer or John Moore will go in for Grzelcyk.
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Whereas some Bruins gamers had been reluctant to weigh in on the hit, former Blues captain David Backes was vital within the aftermath of Wednesday’s Sport 2.
“It is from behind, elevated, into his head, into the glass,” Backes mentioned. “If that is a two-minute penalty, I feel there’s going to be a scarcity of defensemen on this sequence by the top of it. That is in any person else’s fingers. That is one thing I feel if I am making that hit, I am in all probability watching from the bleachers for a couple of.”
Dropping Sundqvist is one other blow for St. Louis, which had already been with out injured ahead Robert Thomas and defenseman Vince Dunn.
“He is a giant a part of our staff,” captain Alex Pietrangelo mentioned about Sundqvist. “He performs huge minutes evening in and evening in and out each scenario.”
Blues coach Craig Berube did not wish to elaborate on Thomas’ standing however mentioned upon touchdown that Dunn was near returning after lacking 5 video games for a puck to the face. He gave no indication whether or not Zach Sanford would step in to the vacant ahead spot or if St. Louis may as an alternative gown seven defensemen.
After Robby Fabbri stepped in for Thomas within the Blues’ Sport 2 extra time victory and defensemen who had sat out are actually contributing, Berube is not fearful about his staff’s depth on this scenario.
“It has been a giant issue, for certain, not solely within the playoffs however all through the final month or two within the season,” Berube mentioned. “Our depth is large on the again finish and up entrance. We use all people. It has been crucial.”