Nazem Kadri suspended for the rest of the first round for cross-checking Jake DeBrusk
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 11: Matt Grzelcyk of the Boston Bruins is separated from Nazem Kadri of the Toronto Maple Leafs during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
From the NHL Newswire at 985TheSportsHub.com.
Nazem Kadri has learned his fate. The Maple Leafs center has been suspended for the remainder of the first round for cross-checking the Bruins’ Jake DeBrusk in the face during Toronto’s 4-1 loss to Boston in Game 2 on Saturday. NHL Player Safety Toronto’s Nazem Kadri has been suspended for the remainder of the First Round for Cross-checking Boston’s Jake DeBrusk. https://t.co/doqkyMVrLS
In a video explaining the suspension, Player Safety cited Kadri’s history of discipline from the league as a factor in his punishment. The video also said Kadri’s cross-check occurred outside the realm of making a “hockey play” and that his justification for retribution doesn’t matter.
Watch the full explanation below:
After DeBrusk delivered a check to the Leafs’ Patrick Marleau, Kadri went over to him and drove the shaft of his stick into the side of DeBrusk’s face. The latter declined to comment on the incident when he met with reporters after the game.
Kadri has yet to address it publicly after skipping media appearances on Saturday. The NHL’s Department of Player Safety indicated their level of seriousness when it offered Kadri an in-person hearing mere hours after Game 2, which the Bruins won 4-1.
The Bruins evened their opening round playoff series 1-1 with their win on Saturday. It’s likely that the Leafs move William Nylander to center in the wake of Kadri’s suspension.
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