Chris VandeVelde banned 2 games for elbowing Jonathan Toews (Video)
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has suspended Philadelphia Flyers forward Chris VandeVelde two games for elbowing Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews in the head.
A video of the play, which occurred at the 19:30 mark of the first period during their Wednesday night game in Chicago, is above. VandeVelde was given a two-minute minor for elbowing and Toews stayed in the game. The 29-year-old VandeVelde is mostly a fourth-line player, averaging 13:48 of ice-time per-game) and has 13 points in 69 games for the Flyers.
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The Department of Player Safety notes that though “this is not an extremely predatory or violent hit, it is still a reckless elbow to an opponent’s head, with sufficient force to merit supplemental discipline.”
The league also puts the responsibility of making a legal hit on VandeVelde, saying he is “in control of this play from the start.” The video notes that VandeVelde raised his forearm because he misjudged the hit and lunged with the elbow, “in an attempt to get a piece of his opponent.”
VandeVelde will be fined $7,661.30 as part of the suspension. He hadn't been fined or suspended before in his prior 186 games in his NHL career.
According to Broad Street Hockey, VandeVelde's absence could make it easier for coach Dave Hakstol to make room for the pending return of forward Jakub Voracek on Saturday.
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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper
