San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl was suspended for two games on Monday for high-sticking Calgary Flames forward Elias Lindholm.
Hertl had a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety one day after the incident, which occurred just after the start of the third period in the Sharks’ 5-2 loss to the visiting Flames on Sunday.
After being cross-checked by Lindholm multiple times at center ice following a faceoff, Hertl responded by hitting Lindholm across the face with his stick.
“This is a directed, retaliatory stick swing that strikes an opponent at a dangerous height,” a Department of Player Safety official said in an explanation video. “And while we acknowledge San Jose’s assessment that this high stick is delivered without an excessive amount of force, there is sufficient force here to merit supplemental discipline for what is an intentional and retaliatory play.”
The official noted that Hertl has been neither fined nor suspended in his 10 NHL seasons, all of them spent with San Jose.
Hertl, 29, recorded a goal and an assist in Sunday’s game. He ranks second on the Sharks with 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists) through 33 games this season.
He will miss the Sharks’ rematch with the Flames on Tuesday and the following game Thursday against the Minnesota Wild, which caps a three-game homestand.
–Field Level Media
