Lightning's Gourde handed match penalty for hit on Jordan Staal

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Kevin Sousa / National Hockey League / Getty

Yanni Gourde's night ended early Thursday after his high hit on Jordan Staal.

The Tampa Bay Lightning center was assessed a match penalty and a five-minute major after catching the Carolina Hurricanes pivot in the head in the first period.

Staal left immediately for the dressing room after the hit but returned to the bench for the second period.

The 30-year-old missed 32 games earlier in the season due to concussions.

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