Vancouver Canucks defenceman Nikita Zadorov got himself into some hot water on Tuesday night as they began a three-game road trip against the Vegas Golden Knights.
With less than ten seconds remaining in the first period, Vegas was leading the game 4-1 and Nikita Zadorov hit Golden Knights forward Brett Howden from behind, right on the numbers.
After a small scrum, Zadorov was ushered off to the penalty box, with the officials giving him a five-minute major and a game misconduct for boarding, but decided to review the play. After review, the call on the ice stood, with Zadorov, who's played a big role in the Canucks' top-four defensive group in recent weeks, being kicked out for the remainder of Tuesday's contest.
"Nikita Zadorov is given a 5 minute major and a game misconduct for boarding
Zadorov, 28, could be facing supplemental discipline for the second time in as many months, after being suspended for two games in mid-February for a check to the head of Detroit Red Wings forward Lukas Raymond.
It'll be interesting to see if the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety decides to give Nikita Zadorov a hearing for the incident on Tuesday night and if he'll be handed a suspension.