Brendan Smith of the Detroit Red Wings will sit for the remainder of the preseason and the first five games of the NHL regular season after being suspended for his hit on Ben Smith, a forward from the Chicago Blackhawks.
Brendan Smith Suspended Five Games For Hit On Ben Smith
The hit, in which Brendan caught Ben with a shoulder directly to the head, occurred in Wednesday night’s game between the two clubs. You can view video of it here. Brendan was handed a five minute major penalty and a game misconduct on the play in accordance with Rule 48, which states that any hit to the head must come with such a penalty.
He was also hit with a match penalty on the play, and according to the rule, the addition of a match penalty implies that intent to injure was involved in the play. Apparently, Brendan Shanahan agrees with that distinction, as supplemental discipline is only supposed to come when there is intent involved in the play.
Brendan Smith will likely be sent to the AHL, and as has been the case with other suspensions this preseason, it’s likely that the AHL will honor at least some of the ban. NHL suspensions are only served while players are on NHL rosters, however, so whenever Smith returns to the Wings roster (or any other NHL roster, for that matter), he’ll have to serve the five-game ban before taking the ice.
For more on the suspension and the Wings, check in with Winging It In Motown.
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