Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas faces a disciplinary hearing Friday after injuring Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews with a knee-on-knee hit Thursday night.
According to TSN, the hearing with the NHL Player Safety department will be over the phone, meaning Gudas cannot be suspended for more than five games.
Gudas drew a major penalty and a game misconduct for what Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube called a “dirty play” following Toronto’s 6-4 home win.
The incident occurred at the 15:47 mark of the second period when Matthews took a direct shot to his left leg and dropped to the ice. The Toronto captain was helped to the locker room and did not return.
Ducks coach Joel Quenneville said there was “no premeditation” behind Gudas’ actions despite comments made by the 35-year-old blueliner before the contest.
“We got to be on top of him,” Gudas said after Thursday’s morning skate. “We got to make sure that he doesn’t get space in the middle of the ice … make his nights not enjoyable.”
Gudas has two goals, 11 assists and 45 penalty minutes in 52 games this season, his 14th campaign in the NHL and his third with Anaheim.
Matthews, 28, scored his 27th goal of the season in the second period, five minutes before the hit from Gudas. The gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic hockey captain has 53 points in 60 games this season, his 10th with Toronto.
Berube did not have an update on Matthews’ condition after the game.
–Field Level Media
