The NHL has suspended Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas three games for his headshot on Ottawa Senators forward Mika Zibanejad.
The incident occurred in the third period of Philadelphia's eventual 4-2 win Tuesday when a faceoff was won back to Zibanejad in the offensive zone.
It's difficult to determine the severity of intent, as Gudas stumbles forward from a stationary position off the draw before connecting with a desperate, clumsy, and yet very dangerous forearm straight to Zibanejad's face.
But the NHL determined that upward angle, the head being the main point of contact, and the fact that Zibanejad suffered an injury was grounds for a rather significant ban for a first-time offender.
There was no update on Zibanejad's condition Wednesday.
Gudas also injured Milan Michalek in the win, albeit legally. Michalek broke his finger blocking a point shot from the Flyers defensemen.
