Flyers: Claude Giroux Suspended One Game For Hit On Zubrus, Will Miss Game Five Vs. Devils
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The NHL has suspended the Flyers' Claude Giroux for Tuesday night's game 5 against the New Jersey Devils for his hit on Dainius Zubrus in Sunday's game. Giroux met with the league today to discuss the incident.
Brendan Shanahan, the NHL's Vice President of Hockey and Business Development and head disciplinarian, explained the suspension as follows:
"This is a violation of the illegal check to the head rule which states, 'a hit resulting in contact with an opponent's head, where the head is targeted and the principal point of contact, is not permitted.' As we watch Giroux earlier on the shift, he dumps a puck into new jersey's end, and is legally finished by Mark Fayne. As the puck is shot past Giroux, he displays his frustration to the referee, and even turns his back on the play to continue making his point. He then turns back to refocus on the puck, recognizes there's a turnover, and begins to pursue Zubrus and delivers a late, reckless hit to the head."
Giroux leads the Flyers in playoff scoring with eight goals and nine assists in ten games.
The Flyers trail the Devils three games to one in their best of seven series.
