Columbus Blue Jackets forward Derek MacKenzie has been suspended three games for boarding by the NHL’s department of player safety.
MacKenzie delivered a controversial hit on Phoenix defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson Thursday night during the Jackets’ 2-0 shutout of the Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena.
Ekman-Larsson left the game at 8:52 of the first period after being drilled into the boards by MacKenzie. No penalty was called on the play, but Phoenix defenceman Keith Yandle immediately engaged MacKenzie in a fight.
“If a guy gets hit like that, you gotta stick up for him,” Yandle said. “I know he’d do the same for me.”
Ekman-Larsson did not return to the game. The Coyotes said he suffered an upper-body injury and is listed as day to day.
NHL department of player safety explains the suspension:
Yandle talks about sticking up for his teammate:
