The player who levelled Ryan Smyth with a vicious head shot in a Senior AAA playoff contest has been suspended 16 games.
Kyle Sheen, 33, has been banned for his actions towards the former Edmonton Oilers winger in the third period of Game 1 of the Chinook Hockey League final on March 11, Hockey Alberta confirmed to Sportsnet.
As Smyth cut towards the slot and scored his second goal of the game for the Stony Plain Eagles, Sheen crushed him with a blind-side check. Sheen’s feet left the ice just prior to contact with Smyth.
Sheen was assessed a match penalty for the hit. The 33-year-old was the league’s fourth-leading scorer during the regular season. He’s maintained he had no intention of hurting Smyth.
"To turn around and see him laying there, you could see the blood from the cut on his face on his visor. It was not a good feeling in my stomach. It made me feel sick,” Sheen told CBC Radio in Edmonton. "To sit and watch it, it doesn’t look good on the fact that he scores on the play. Personally, I don’t like the hit. My shoulder makes contact with his head and that was not my intention at all.
“If you look at the video, I’ve committed to the hit. By the time he releases his backhand, I’m within a stick’s length from him.”
Smyth was transported to a local hospital as a result of the hit, but was discharged later that day.
Thank you all for the well wishes. I'm home resting with my family & hoping for a speedy recovery. The EMT's and Eagles staff were amazing.
— Ryan Smyth (@RealSmytty94) March 13, 2017
He attended Monday’s 2-0 Oilers’ win over the Los Angeles Kings and told Sportsnet’s Gene Principe he’s feeling better. Smyth said he’s resumed skating, but hasn’t decided if he’ll play competitive hockey again.
Just chatted with @RealSmytty94 He's @EdmontonOilers game. Feeling better.Skated today.Hasn't decided if he'll 'retire' from senior hockey.
— Gene Principe (@GenePrincipe) March 21, 2017
Smyth, a veteran of 1,270 NHL games had seven goals and 11 points in six Chinook Hockey League playoff contests. The 41-year-old had 17 points in 10 regular season games.
The series between the Eagles and Lacombe Generals is tied at two with Game 5 scheduled for Friday.
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