The Vancouver Canucks were none too happy with Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust for a hit that left Brock Boeser on the ice as time expired Sunday.
With mere seconds left on the clock and the Canucks trailing 3-2, Vancouver put forth a last-gasp effort to even the game with a flurry of activity in front of the Penguins' net.
However, as Boeser tried to bury the puck at the buzzer, Rust came skating in from the slot and caught the Canucks star up high with an extended elbow.
"I'm sure the league will take a look at it," Canucks head coach Adam Foote said after the loss, calling it a "vicious headshot."
Foote did not have an update on Boeser's status.
Boeser was ultimately able to get to the Vancouver bench under his own power, but Rust was given a two-minute minor by officials for an illegal check to the head.
It was little consolation for the Canucks, though, as the damage had been done and the game lost.
“I think it’s a pretty dirty play, to be honest with you," Vancouver forward Jake DeBrusk said post-game.
Teddy Blueger agreed with DeBrusk, calling the hit dirty. He did, however, say that he doesn't think Rust is a dirty player.
Boeser played 18:10 in what ended up as a pointless night for the 28-year-old winger in a trying season. The Burnsville, Minn., native now has 12 goals and 13 assists in 50 games for Vancouver, which dropped to 17-30-5 with the loss.
Rust also went pointless in the win. For the season, he now has 18 goals, 21 assists and 18 penalty minutes in 47 games.
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