"In an attempt to make a defensive play on Matthews, Gudas leads with his knee, jutting it forward, and making forceful, direct contact with Matthews, causing him to fall to the ice. It is important to note that Gudas is in control of this play. We acknowledge Gudas's assertion that he is attempting to make a full body check and prevent a goal, but this contact cannot be excused as a play in which evasive or sudden movements by either player are the primary cause of the knee-on-knee contact."
"In light of the obvious severity of the play, I am disappointed and shocked the league would allow such a ruling. A phone hearing and 5 games is laughable and preposterous. While the process is set in our CBA, that this was the discipline is reckless and ridiculous. This decision results in a further loss of confidence in the disciplinary process for all players."
The NHL Department of Player Safety suspended Radko Gudas for five games following a knee-on-knee hit on Auston Matthews during Thursday's game. Matthews sustained an MCL tear and quad contusion, forcing him to miss the team's final 16 games. Gudas received a phone hearing, limiting the maximum suspension to five games. The league determined Gudas led with his knee while attempting a defensive play, making forceful direct contact. Gudas's prior suspension history of four suspensions totaling 21 games since 2015-16 was considered in the ruling. Matthews's agent expressed strong disappointment with the discipline, calling it inadequate given the injury severity and criticizing the supplemental discipline process.
Read at RMNB
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]