Calgary Flames forward Martin Pospisil has been suspended three games for his hit on Seattle Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced Wednesday.
The hit occurred in the third period of the Flames’ 4-2 loss to the Kraken on Monday night in Calgary. Pospisil was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct after the hit.
Dunn left the game with an injury following the contact. He did not suit up for Seattle in their Tuesday night win over the Winnipeg Jets.
This marks Pospisil’s first-ever suspension.
Calgary’s Martin Pospisil has been suspended for three games for boarding Seattle’s Vince Dunn. https://t.co/wayiPLdXHs
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) March 7, 2024
Following Monday night’s game, Kraken coach Dave Hakstol called the hit “garbage.” Hakstol, along with other members of the Kraken, also expressed displeasure over a first-period hit Pospisil laid out on Kraken defenseman Adam Larsson.
Pospisil was previously ejected following a late hit on Brad Marchand in early February and during a preseason game against the Jets after a high hit on forward Cole Perfetti. However, Pospisil had never been fined or suspended by the NHL before Wednesday.
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The Flames have had three players suspended this season, including Pospisil. Forward Andrew Mangiapane was suspended one game earlier this season after cross-checking Seattle’s Jared McCann. Defenseman Rasmus Andersson was suspended for four games after charging Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine. The Flames attempted to appeal the suspension, but it was upheld by league commissioner Gary Bettman.
Pospisil will miss the Flames’ next three games against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Florida Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes as a result. The winger has six goals and 15 points in 45 games this season with the Flames, his first year in the league. Pospisil also signed a two-year contract extension last month with a $1 million AAV that begins next season.
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(Photo: Gerry Thomas / NHLI via Getty Images)
