NHL suspends Canucks’ Carson Soucy for cross-checking Oilers’ Connor McDavid

The Vancouver Canucks will be without defenseman Carson Soucy for Game 4 against the Edmonton Oilers.

Soucy received a one-game suspension by the NHL Department of Player Safety for cross-checking Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid after Game 3 on Sunday. As noted in the department’s video explaining the suspension, Soucy shoved McDavid, who retaliated with a slash to the leg. Soucy slashed McDavid back, then raised his stick with both hands, drew his stick back and delivered a forceful, two-handed cross-check that made direct contact with McDavid’s head. He was assessed a minor penalty at the time. Carson Soucy has been suspended for one playoff game for cross-checking Connor McDavid, per @NHLPlayerSafety. pic.twitter.com/9ROixStIAo — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 13, 2024

NHL Player Safety noted that Canucks defenseman Nikita Zadorov cross-checked McDavid in the back as Soucy delivered his cross-check. Zadorov was fined $5,000 as a result. “We acknowledge Soucy’s argument that the cross-check by Zadorov is forceful enough to cause a change in McDavid’s position and may contribute to Soucy’s cross-check landing to the head,” the video said. “However, this does not change the fact that Soucy’s actions merit supplemental discipline.” The cross-check happened after the game ended and is not a hockey play, the video added.

While the video mentioned in text Soucy had no relevant history before this cross-check, the speaker noted he has been suspended once before for a high hit on then-Arizona Coyotes winger Conor Garland and fined once for roughing then-Winnipeg Jets center Pierre-Luc Dubois. Soucy, a 29-year-old left-shot blueliner from Viking, Alta., will miss Game 4 on Tuesday night. He has four assists in nine playoff games this season and has averaged 17:26 of ice time per game. Video reaction to come.