David Backes expects Oskar Sundqvist to be suspended for hit
Oskar Sundqvist is scheduled to have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Thursday to review his hit on Matt Grzelcyk during Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, and at least one Boston Bruins player wants the St. Louis Blues center to be suspended.
Sundqvist received a two-minute minor penalty for an ugly hit on Grzelcyk late in the first period, and Grzelcyk was taken to the hospital after his head smacked off the glass.
A look at the hit on by Oskar Sundqvist on Matt Grzelcyk. Didn't look good. pic.twitter.com/3yjlbhgkvs
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) May 30, 2019
David Backes, who is now with the Bruins after spending the first 10 years of his career with the Blues, told reporters after the game he feels a suspension is warranted for Sundqvist.
Backes on Sundqvist hit: “I don’t think that’s a hit we want in our game. It’s from behind, elevated, into his head, into the glass. If that’s a two-minute penalty, I think there’s going to be a shortage of defensemen in this series by the end of it. (1/2) #stlblues
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) May 30, 2019
Backes cont'd: "That’s in somebody else’s hands. That’s something I think if I’m making that hit, I’m probably watching from the bleachers for a few, but we’ll see what happens with their player.” #stlblues
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) May 30, 2019
The series is now tied 1-1 after the Blues beat the Bruins in overtime on Wednesday, so losing Sundqvist for a game would be a major blow to St. Louis. However, the Department of Player Safety showed they are not afraid to sit a player down during the playoffs when they suspended Charlie McAvoy for an illegal check earlier in the postseason, so the same could happen to Sundqvist.
