Calgary Flames’ Milan Lucic suspended 2 games for roughing

Calgary Flames’ forward Milan Lucic will sit for two games after an unnecessary hit on Columbus Blue Jackets’ forward Kole Sherwood.

The Calgary Flames will be without forward Milan Lucic for their next two games, as the 31-year-old forward was suspended on Sunday for a hit in the team’s game over the weekend. The suspension is Lucic’s fourth overall in his 13-year NHL career.

The Flames will have Lucic back on the ice on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils, with the forward missing games against the Washington Capitals and the Arizona Coyotes in the meantime.

Lucic laid down the unnecessary hit against Columbus Blue Jackets’ forward Kole Sherwood on Saturday after the forward was going after a puck Flames’ goaltender David Rittich had stopped with his pads. Lucic seemed to take offense to the jabs from Sherwood, and he went after the forward with a punch to the face that knocked the Blue Jackets skater to the ice.

Sherwood was penalized on the play for slashing Rittich, while Lucic was given a double minor for roughing.

The NHL’s video on the hit by Lucic sums the play up by stating that the two forwards were not fighting, meaning Lucic was taking advantage of a vulnerable player.

"After Rittich has covered the puck, Sherwood pokes at Rittich’s pads, for which he was assessed a slashing minor. Lucic takes offense to Sherwood’s slash, and immediately attempts to slash Sherwood’s stick away. He then skates over to Sherwood, drops his stick and delivers a punch to the face of Sherwood with sufficient force to knock him to the ice. This is roughing."

In 16 games played for the Flames this season, Lucic has no goals and three points overall, with 30 penalty minutes while averaging just over 12 minutes of ice time in each game.