Zac Rinaldo given match penalty for head hit on Chad Ruhwedel (Video)
The Philadelphia Flyers held a comfortable 4-0 third period lead over the Buffalo Sabres Sunday night when Zac Rinaldo decided to do this for some reason:
Rinaldo launches himself into the head of Sabres defenseman Chad Ruhwedel. Why did he do that? Who knows.
The game was already in hand and Rinaldo was given a five-minute match penalty, attempt to injure for the head hit and the Sabres would ruin Steve Mason's shutout on the ensuing power play. The Flyers would hang on for a 5-2 victory. Ruhwedal left the game and did not return.
Rinaldo had himself quite the night. Along with the match penalty, he had already picked up three minors and scored Philadelphia's second goal of the game. Missed out on the hat trick after failing to record an assist.
It's been over two years since the NHL Department of Player Safety has fined or suspended Rinaldo, but this one is a lay-up for Brendan Shanahan and his crew.
UPDATE: Ruhwedel was diagnosed with a concussion, as per Sabres head coach Ted Nolan. And Rinaldo will have a phone hearing with the DoPS on Monday.
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is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy
