Jets forward Evander Kane has been suspended two games for boarding Ducks defenseman Clayton Stoner on Sunday in Winnipeg.
In explaining its decision, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety ruled that Kane illegally drove Stoner “dangerously into the glass” on a play where contact should have been avoided or minimized.
“Instead, having tracked Stoner for considerable time and significant distance,” ruled the league, “Kane hits Stoner directly from behind, driving forcefully into him and causing him to crash face-first into the glass.”
The league did concede that Stoner suffered no injury on the play and that Kane has never been fined or suspended during his NHL career. Otherwise, the punishment may have been stiffer.
Kane will miss Tuesday’s game in Dallas and Thursday’s game in Colorado.