Josh Morrissey has been suspended one game by the NHL for his illegal cross-check on Eric Staal during Game 4 on Tuesday.
Morrissey cross-checked Staal in the head in the first period of Winnipeg’s win over the Minnesota Wild but avoided a call. The Wild were on a power play at the time and should have had a two-man advantage because of Morrissey’s play, but the Jets defenseman was lucky to avoid a penalty. Wild coach Bruce Boudreau later said the missed call cost his team the game.
The league reviewed the play and decided to suspend Morrissey for his “reckless strike to an opponent’s neck.”
The league acknowledged Morrissey’s pleas that it was not an intentional cross-check meant to harm, but they want to discourage the kind of contact he initiated.
Morrissey’s Jets lead the series 3-1. Game 5 will be on Friday.
