Stars' Antoine Roussel Suspended 2 Games For Cross-Check On McQuaid
BOSTON (CBS) --The NHL has slapped Dallas Stars forward Antoine Roussel with a two-game suspension for his cross-check on Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid.
The incident occurred in the first period Tuesday night in Boston's 5-3 loss to the Stars. McQuaid lined up for an open-ice hit on Roussel, who slowed down to avoid the collision. McQuaid hit the boards and as he turned to tussle with Roussel, dropping his stick and gloves in the process, the Stars forward delivered a cross-check to his throat.
Roussel was hit with a five-minute major and game misconduct for the play, and on Thursday, the NHL announced he would be suspended for the first time this season.
In a video posted Thursday by the NHL's Department of Player Safety, they called Roussel'€™s cross-check "€œproactive, not reactive," stating that he was not using his stick to defend himself.
Earlier this season, Roussel was fined for sucker-punching San Jose Sharks defenseman Justin Braun.