An injured Florida Panthers center Nick Cousins (21) lies on the ice as linesman Caleb Apperson (77) protects Cousins during the second period of the team's NHL hockey game against the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. The Panthers won 4-1. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
NEW YORK (AP) – Arizona Coyotes forward Jason Zucker was suspended for three games by the NHL on Wednesday night for boarding Florida forward Nick Cousins the previous night.
Zucker was given a major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct for the play with 51 seconds left in the third period of the Panthers’ 4-1 win. He also received a major for fighting Florida defenseman Gustav Forsling after the hit.
In its explanation for the suspension, the NHL called it a hit from behind on a defenseless player no longer in possession of the puck.
___
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
