Hurricanes' Trocheck ejected for boarding Sabres' Thompson

Carolina Hurricanes forward Vincent Trocheck was handed a five-minute major and game misconduct for a boarding hit on Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson on Saturday.

Trocheck hit Thompson into the boards from behind after the Buffalo forward attempted to turn back toward his own end. Thompson's teammates came to his defense after the play.

Trocheck said postgame that he didn't think the incident warranted a five-minute major and game misconduct.

Thompson initially left the game following the play but later returned. The 6-foot-7 center is in the midst of a breakout year. He entered Saturday's contest leading the Sabres with 10 goals and 16 points.

The NHL has never suspended Trocheck in his nine-year career. However, the league fined him in 2015 for diving.