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Mike Hoffman suspended two games for Logan Couture cross-check (Video)

Mike Hoffman screen shot.
Mike Hoffman screen shot.

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has suspended Ottawa Senators forward Mike Hoffman two games for cross-checking the head of San Jose Sharks forward Logan Couture.

The play occurred at the 7:50 mark of the third period of their Wednesday game, a 4-3 shootout win by the Sharks. Couture had pushed Hoffman earlier in the shift and then Hoffman decided to use his stick to cross-check Couture.

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The Department of Player Safety’s suspension video pointed out that Hoffman’s stick then rode up the stick of Sharks defenseman Brenden Dillon which enabled it to hit the back of Couture’s head. Hoffman received a five-minute major for cross-checking and a game misconduct.

“In our opinion, Hoffman is attempting to deliver a high, forceful cross-check to Couture. This is not a hockey play. That said, we agree with Hoffman’s assertion that his stick rides up the stick of Dillon’s slightly, which may contribute to this cross-check being delivered to Couture’s head, rather than his upper back,” the Department of Player Safety said. “Ultimately, players are responsible for their sticks at all times, and when a player attempts to intentionally use his stick to deliver a blow to an opponent, he cannot necessarily be excused of all responsibility when the blow lands in an unintended place.”

Couture left the game to undergo concussion protocol, but he’s expected to return to the lineup for the Sharks’ game at the Montreal Canadiens on Friday.

“I expect a suspension, but who knows what they’re going to do,” he said Friday according to TSN 690. “I’m extremely lucky I’m not very, very badly hurt. If you’ve seen the replay, he skates across the ice intending to cross-check me, I don’t know if he meant to get me in the head … but he skated cross to cross-check me. It looked like he intended to injure me so I hope he gets suspended.

Hoffman will forfeit $57,638.88 of his salary as part of the suspension. In his previous 213 games, Hoffman hadn’t been fined or suspended.

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Hoffman, who has 21 points in 28 games, will miss Saturday’s home game against the New Jersey Devils and Sunday’s game at the New York Islanders.

“If it comes down to (a suspension) we’re going to have to deal with it,” Senators captain Erik Karlsson said Thursday according to the Ottawa Citizen. “It’s something every team goes through whether it’s injuries or circumstances like this. We definitely have the guys to do it so it’s nothing that’s worrying us.”

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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