Tyler Myers won't face further discipline for Joel Armia hit
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers won't receive further discipline for his dangerous hit on Montreal Canadiens forward Joel Armia on Thursday, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Friday.
"After reviewing all available video, the Department of Player Safety has concluded that there will be no supplemental discipline for this hit as it did not violate the illegal check to the head rule," the video explained.
It concluded, "This is a legal, full-body check with an unfortunate end result."
The hit occurred toward the end of the third period during the Canucks' 7-3 blowout loss. Myers was assessed a match penalty, and Armia was diagnosed with a concussion.
Joel Armia goes to the dressing room after this high hit from Tyler Myers. pic.twitter.com/OMZcCxVdOZ
— Here's Your Replay ⬇️ (@HeresYourReplay) January 22, 2021
Canadiens head coach Claude Julien addressed the hit postgame, saying he didn't like it, but the referees handled it well.
"I didn't like the hit from Myers. He (Armia) didn't see him coming," Julien said, according to Sportsnet's Eric Engels. "It's an elbow that seemed high. I think the refs reacted well giving him a five-minute penalty."
"But I didn't like the hit - especially with 2:28 to go in a 6-3 game. ... Was it necessary?" he continued. "We're trying to clean these types of hits out of the NHL."
The Canadiens and Canucks will meet for the third straight time Saturday.