Rostislav Klesla suspended from Game 5 for Coyotes after brutal hit on Predators’ Matt Halischuk (VIDEO)
Some calls from the NHL Deptartment of Player Safety are easier than others. Here's how Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Rostislav Klesla earned his one-game suspension for a boarding call on Matt Halischuk of the Nashville Predators in Game 4:
From the NHL:
Phoenix Coyotes defenseman has been suspended for one game for boarding Nashville Predators forward Matt Halischuk during the teams' Western Conference Semifinal game in Nashville on Friday, May 4, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced today. The incident occurred at 6:39 of the first period. A minor penalty for boarding was assessed on the play.
As the video shows, Klesla's tug on Halischuk's jersey was what made this play an easy call — he effectively knocks Halischuk off-balance before drilling him from behind into the boards. So he'll miss Monday night's Game 5, in which the Coyotes can eliminate the Predators on home ice.
Klesla is averaging 18:30 in the playoffs for the Coyotes, appearing on special teams. He skated 20:37 in Game 4 despite the minor penalty.
