Ryan Suter Suspended Two Games For Hit On Steve Downie
Shortly after the Minnesota Wild’s 7-2 drubbing at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Ryan Suter would have a hearing Wednesday for elbowing Penguins forward Steve Downie in the head. This evening the DoPS announced that the NHL is suspended Suter for two games.
Minnesota's Ryan Suter will have a hearing Wednesday afternoon for elbowing Pittsburgh's Steve Downie.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) January 14, 2015
Here’s a look at the hit:
Downie didn’t return to the game. It’s always better to play it safe, but it was probably especially easy to keep him in the locker room since the Wild weren’t in this game for the last 52 minutes of it. It sounds like Downie may be clear of a concussion, as he hit the ice with the rest of his time on Wednesday. Good to see him not having any issues from that hit.
Great to see @stevedownie23 back out there with the team. pic.twitter.com/L5oI8FznM2
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 14, 2015
Suter, who has never been suspended in his career, talked about the incident following the game.
Suter said he was reaching for puck and went to put hand back on stick when elbow came out. He sent word to Downie thru Crosby #mnwild.
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) January 14, 2015
Suter on Downie elbow: obviously that's not the type of player I am.
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) January 14, 2015
Here’s the DoPS’ suspension video: