Update: The CBC’s Elliotte Friedman reports that Zack Kassian will face a disciplinary hearing. At this time, it’s unclear if it will be in-person or a less serious telephone hearing.
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After a rocky first period against the Dallas Stars, it’s unclear if Eddie Lack will be back in the middle frame for the Vancouver Canucks. One thing’s certain, though: Zack Kassian won’t.
The rugged winger received a game misconduct and five-minute major for boarding Stars defenseman Brenden Dillon on Thursday. Kassian already was suspended for five games earlier this season thanks to that hi-sticking infraction on Edmonton Oilers forward Sam Gagner and came into the NHL with a reputation for questionable hits.
Video of the hit will be added upon availability, but here are two takes from the game in the meantime:
Harmless dump-in by Dillon, dumb slam from behind into sideboards by Kassian. Major and game misconduct. #canucks #stars
— Ben Kuzma 🇺🇦 (@benkuzma) March 7, 2014
Zack Kassian gets a five-minute major for boarding Brenden Dillon. Dillon shook up, walks to locker room.
— Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) March 7, 2014
Not exactly ideal timing for a Canucks team that is grasping for optimism, but at least there’s time for Vancouver to turn it around.
(Of course, a pessimist might point out that there’s also plenty of time for things to get even worse.)