The NHL announced on Sunday that Washington Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik has been suspended three games for his late hit to the head against Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta during Saturday’s Game 2 playoff matchup. Orpik was given a two-minute interference penalty on the play after he drilled the defenseless Maatta, knocking him out of the game.

In their summary video, NHL player safety called the hit “forceful, unacceptably high and excessively late.” They said since the play was a penalty, Maatta suffered an injury and Orpik has been suspended twice before, then he’ll have to sit three playoff games. That’s a significant  penalty.

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan wasn’t a fan of the hit, telling Jenn Menendez of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the play was exactly the type of hit the game is trying to get rid of.

“I thought it was a late hit. I thought it was a target to his head. I think it’s the type of hit that everyone in hockey is trying to remove from the game,” said Sullivan. “And that’s how I saw it.”

Sullivan told reporters Maatta is still being evaluated and his injury status is still being determined.

The hit was unnecessary and dangerous. Orpik has been in the league long enough to know that he shouldn’t be doing that kind of stuff, especially in the playoffs. He’s a repeat offender, so perhaps the third time will be the charm for Orpik to stop making reckless, suspendable plays.

 

About Liam McGuire

Social +Staff writer for The Comeback & Awful Announcing. Liammcguirejournalism@gmail.com