Andrew Ference Suspended for Three Games After Illegal Check (Video)

By Tasha St. Pierre | Nov 3, 2014

Oct 14, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Edmonton Oilers defenseman Andrew Ference (21) against the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center. he Kings defeated the Oilers 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Andrew Ference has been suspended for three games by the National Hockey League for an illegal check to the head of Vancouver Canucks right wing Zack Kassian.

The Edmonton Oilers have been struggling to get point in the win column all season long. In fact, in the eleven games that the team has played so far this season, they have only come up with a win in four encounters, all of which were in a row and began with their win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on October 20^th.

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Unfortunately, thanks to a pretty blatant move from Edmonton Oilers defenseman Andrew Ference, the team will continue their struggle with one less player; at least for the next three games.

The National Hockey League Department of Player Safety announced this morning that Ference has officially been suspended for three games without pay as a result of an illegal check to the head of Vancouver Canucks right wing Zack Kassian.

The incident went down on Saturday night at Rexall Place in Edmonton as the Oilers played host to Henrik Sedin and the Vancouver Canucks.

At the 14:03 mark in the second period, Kassian makes his way into the Edmonton zone with the puck; he passes a Edmonton player and proceeds towards the net. Here comes Andrew Ference like a freight train towards Kassian.

Initially, it seemed as if he was en route to make a legal hit to the person with the puck; however, it seems that at the last moment Ference changed his mind on the hit and makes a distinct upward motion with his elbow that makes Kassian’s head the direct point of contact of the hit.

Here is a look at the video provided by the National Hockey League. You be the judge here.

Unfortunately, this is not a difficult accusation to believe. This is not the first time Ference has been suspended. In fact, it’s not the first time he has been suspended for this very same issue.

According to the statement from the Department of Player Safety, Ference has been suspended twice and fined once prior to this incident. The last incident was 18 months ago and for an illegal check to the head.

As we said before, Edmonton will have to continue their struggle without Ference for a little while longer. Unfortunately, with only one player on the team even breaching the 10 point mark so far this season – here’s looking at you Taylor Hall – they have a lot more to worry about this season than Andrew Ference.

If our calculations are correct, Ference should be eligible to return on Sunday, November 9^th when the Oilers head to Madison Square Garden to take on Derek Stepan and the New York Rangers.

According to the NHL.com report, as part of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, Ference will forfeit $118,902.45 of his salary which will now go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

What did you think of Ference’s hit to Kassian? Do you think Ference’s punishment was fair or did he deserve more or less time than he was given? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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