Yet another Ottawa Senator went down with a likely concussion, which would make an even six for the franchise for the 2015-16 NHL season so far, as forward Mika Zibanejad was leveled by Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas during a game the Flyers eventually won 4-2 on Tuesday night. Zibanejad went to the bench immediately and would not return. The team had not updated Zibanejad's status as of early Wednesday. Gudas though, it seems, could very well be facing a suspension. Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Daily News revealed that Gudas is set for a hearing with the NHL in the wake of his hit on Zibanejad.
Gudas will have a hearing today for his hit last night. Suspension looks to be coming. #Flyers
— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) December 2, 2015
UPDATE, 5 p.m.: The NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Gudas has been suspended for three games.
Early in the third period of Tuesday's game, after a faceoff won by Ottawa in the Philadelphia defensive zone, the puck was quickly fed to Zibanejad who struggled to get a handle on it. As he attempted to corral the puck, Gudas seemed to slip, find his footing and come at Zibanejad, whose head was down, looking at the puck, from a low angle. The hit itself may have been excusable had Gudas not led with his right elbow, catching Zibanejad just under the chin and sending him to the ice.
As you can see from the video, Zibanejad was slow to get to his feet and head to the bench.
After the game, Senators head coach Dave Cameron made it clear that he expects Gudas to face discipline from the NHL's Department of Player Safety.
"I'd be shocked if that's not reviewable and suspended," said coach Dave Cameron about Gudas head shot. #Sens
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) December 2, 2015
Gudas is a physical player, who certainly employs a certain edge to his game, but he doesn't have a history of headhunting or questionable hits. There was also no penalty called during the game.
That being said, it does seem likely, with the increased emphasis on protecting players from head injuries and the fact that Gudas led with his elbow, that the Flyers blueliner will face a ban.
