Canucks rookie forward Jake Virtanen has been suspended two games for what the NHL’s Department of Player Safety deemed a “late, forceful, blindside check” on Sharks defenseman Roman Polak.
The incident occurred last night in Vancouver. Virtanen received a five-minute major for interference, plus a game misconduct. Polak was shaken up on the play, but returned to action as San Jose went on to a 4-1 victory.
“What elevates this hit to merit supplemental discipline is its extremeness lateness and the predatory nature of the hit,” explained DoPS director Patrick Burke.
Virtanen, 19, will miss Thursday’s rematch in San Jose and also Friday’s game in Anaheim.