Oilers' Hendricks suspended 3 games for hit on Panthers' Ekblad
Edmonton Oilers forward Matt Hendricks was suspended three games Monday by the NHL's Department of Player Safety for boarding Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad.
Related: Oilers' Hendricks slams Panthers' Ekblad into boards
Hendricks delivered a forceful hit on Ekblad behind the Panthers' net Sunday, driving his face into the glass with significant impact and leaving the young defenseman dazed on the ice.
The league states, "At no point is Ekblad eligible to be checked by Hendricks," adding, "The onus here is on Hendricks to avoid this hit completely."
This is the first time Hendricks has been suspended in his 444-game career. The 34-year-old is eligible to return Jan. 18 in Florida.
The three-game suspension for Matt Hendricks will cost him $29,838.72 in salary. #oilers
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) January 12, 2016
Although Ekblad played three more shifts after the incident Sunday, he did not suit up Monday against the Vancouver Canucks due to an upper-body injury. He is listed as day to day.
Aaron Ekblad missing just his second game with the #FlaPanthers ... Had a nasty case of the flu last year which cost him his first.
— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) January 12, 2016
The 19-year-old phenom has 19 points and is plus-17 in 42 games this season. He earned a selection to the All-Star Game last week.