Canucks Rome Suspended Rest Of Cup Finals For Horton Hit
BOSTON (CBS) - The NHL has announced Canucks defenseman Aaron Rome has been suspended for four games for his hit on Bruins forward Nathan Horton in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
"Two factors were considered in reaching this decision," said NHL Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Mike Murphy. "The hit by Rome was clearly beyond what is acceptable in terms of how late it was delivered after Horton had released the puck and it caused a significant injury."
Horton has been diagnosed with a severe concussion and the Bruins have confirmed he will miss the rest of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Read: Horton Out Of Hospital, Finals With Severe Concussion
The hit occurred in the first period of Game 3. Horton had just passed the puck when Rome came at him from the blindside, lowered his shoulder and flattened him — the kind of hit the NHL has tried to eliminate after several players have sustained severe concussions, including Bruins forward Marc Savard.
Read: Bourque Talks Game 3, Horton Injury On Toucher & Rich
In the event that the Final ends before Game 7, Rome's suspension will carry over to the start of the 2011-12 regular season.
98.5 The Sports Hub is the only local station to listen to every game of the Stanley Cup Finals. Coverage begins an hour before each game with the Bruins Pregame show hosted by Dave Goucher & Bob Beers.
