Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas was handed a five-game suspension for his knee-on-knee hit Thursday night that injured Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews.
The NHL Department of Player Safety announced the decision Friday after a phone hearing with Gudas. Five games was the maximum suspension he could receive for a phone hearing.
The Maple Leafs announced earlier Friday that Matthews would miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a Grade 3 tear of his medial collateral ligament.
In its ruling, the Department of Player Safety stated, “In an attempt to make a defensive play on Matthews, Gudas leads with his knee, jutting it forward and making forceful, direct contact with Matthews, causing him to fall to the ice. This is ‘kneeing.’
“It is important to note that Gudas is in control of this play. We acknowledge Gudas’ assertion that he is attempting to make a full body check and prevent a goal, but this contact cannot be excused as a play in which evasive or sudden movements by either player are the primary cause of a knee-on-knee contact.
“If he wants to deliver this hit, the onus is on Gudas to ensure that he makes an approach that allows him to deliver a legal full body check. Instead, having led with an extended knee, and now finding himself lined up outside of Matthews’ core, Gudas leans toward contact with Matthews in a way that results in a forceful, dangerous and direct knee-on-knee collision.”
Matthews’ agent, Judd Moldaver, wasn’t happy Gudas was banned for just five games. Moldaver told The Athletic, “In light of the obvious severity of the play, I am very disappointed and shocked that the league would allow for such a ruling. A phone hearing and five games is just laughable and preposterous. While the hearing process is pre-fixed in our CBA, that there was no further discipline is a reckless and ridiculous position for Player Safety.
“This decision results in a further loss of confidence in the disciplinary process for all players. Players and fans deserve better. The Player Safety department should be suspended.”
Gudas drew a major penalty and a game misconduct for what Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube called a “dirty play” following Toronto’s 6-4 home win.
The incident occurred at the 15:47 mark of the second period when Matthews took a direct shot to his left leg and dropped to the ice. The Toronto captain was helped to the locker room and did not return.
Ducks coach Joel Quenneville said there was “no premeditation” behind Gudas’ actions despite comments made by the 35-year-old blueliner before the contest.
“We got to be on top of him,” Gudas said after Thursday’s morning skate. “We got to make sure that he doesn’t get space in the middle of the ice … make his nights not enjoyable.”
Gudas has two goals, 11 assists and 45 penalty minutes in 52 games this season, his 14th campaign in the NHL and his third with Anaheim. It’s the fifth suspension of Gudas’ career, totaling 26 games.
Matthews, 28, scored his 27th goal of the season in the second period, five minutes before the hit from Gudas. The gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic hockey captain finishes with 53 points in 60 games this season, his 10th with Toronto.
–Field Level Media
