Bruins’ McAvoy suspended 1 game for hit on Blue Jackets’ Anderson

Boston Bruins Charlie McAvoy (73) and Patrice Bergeron (37) celebrate a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, in Buffalo, N.Y. (Jeffrey T. Barnes/AP)

Boston Bruins defenceman Charlie McAvoy has been suspended one game for an illegal check to the head he delivered on Josh Anderson, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced Tuesday.

McAvoy has never been suspended in his career so he is considered a first-time offender. He will miss Game 1 of the Bruins’ Eastern Conference final against the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Bruins defenceman was penalized late Monday night in the second period of Boston’s series-clinching victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

McAvoy was assessed a two-minute penalty for the hit. Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella was livid that it wasn’t a five-minute call.

The Blue Jackets were unable to score with McAvoy in the box and Boston went on to win the game 3-0.

McAvoy and Anderson exchanged words in the handshake line following the game and it seemed there were no hard feelings.

The Bruins are set to begin their series with the Hurricanes later this week.

[relatedlinks]

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.