Charlie McAvoy Avoids Ejection For High Hit On Blue Jackets' Josh Anderson
BOSTON (CBS) -- Charlie McAvoy only received a two minute minor penalty for a hit to the head on Columbus' Josh Anderson. But there's a good chance he'll be hearing from the NHL on Tuesday.
The play in question came in the final minute of the second period of Boston's Game 6 victory over the Blue Jackets in their Eastern Conference semifinal series. Anderson was carrying the puck into Boston's zone when McAvoy lowered his shoulder and hit Anderson's head, sending the Columbus winger to the ice.
McAvoy only gets two minutes for this. Wow. pic.twitter.com/5c1XtSetR4
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) May 7, 2019
Somehow, officials only gave McAvoy two minutes for the hit. Columbus fans were not very happy with the call, and threw things on the ice when it was announced as a two-minute minor and not a Match Penalty.
McAvoy was not booted from the game, but will likely hear from the NHL's Department of Player Safety for the hit. Anderson did return to the ice for Columbus when the third period got underway.
So, for an illegal check to the head, they could have called a match penalty, but there's no provision for a major. #BOSvsCBJ pic.twitter.com/OuKf8NGONV
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) May 7, 2019
Boston advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals with a 3-0 win over Columbus on Monday night. Now they'll await word on if McAvoy will be able to play in Game 1 against the Carolina Hurricanes later this week.