Anton Volchenkov Suspended Four Games By NHL For Elbowing Brad Marchand
BOSTON (CBS) -- New Jersey Devils defenseman Anton Volchenkov was suspended four games by the NHL for an illegal elbow to the head of Bruins forward Brad Marchand.
The NHL Department of Player Safety announced the suspension Thursday, saying in a video that Volchenkov made "reckless elbow contact to the head on what could have been a legal collision."
"Volchenkov is in control of this play and is fully responsible for the outcome," Brendan Shanahan, director of NHL player safety, said in the video. "He sees Marchand clearly and, if anything, Marchand's actions just prior to contact force Volchenkov to extend his elbow even further."
Marchand appeared to suffer a head injury, as he was dazed after the hit and needed assistance from teammates to get off the ice, though the Bruins have not yet provided any updates.
Volchenkov, 31, was suspended for three games in February 2011 for elbowing Zach Boychuk on what looked to be an accidental elbow.
Volchenkov has one goal and three assists in 33 games this season, averaging 15:40 of ice time per game. He has 19 goals and 98 assists in 590 career games.
