Antoine Roussel Suspended Two Games For Check To Adam McQuaid

Feb 10, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Dallas Stars left wing Antoine Roussel (21) is escorted off the ice after receiving penalties during the first period against the Boston Bruins at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

“We’ll see what ends up happening with the league. I was obviously not expecting that.”-Adam McQuaid on Roussel hit

Tuesday night’s game against the Dallas Stars started off rocky as Adam McQuaid was sent down the hallway to the locker rooms after a high cross-check to the neck/chin area.  The culprit, Dallas Stars forward Antoine Roussel. McQuaid skated toward Roussel and attempted to throw a huge hit and missed. He dropped his gloves anticipating a fight, but Roussel decided to deliver a high cross check instead. Roussel received a five minute major penalty and a game misconduct, sending him to the locker room to change and head to the balcony.

McQuaid returned to the game after an evaluation process but had nothing to say about the hit after the game or the following day when he was asked.  He told reporters;

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“I don’t really want to talk about it,” a visibly angry McQuaid said on Wednesday after Bruins practice at Ristuccia Arena. “We’ll see what ends up happening with the league. I was obviously not expecting that.”

For a player who has missed a multitude of games due to injuries, he was lucky to be able to skate away from one that could have been extremely dangerous. Perhaps his luck is finally starting to turn.

Nonetheless, following the game the NHL Department of Player Safety announced the Roussel would have a disciplinary hearing regarding the incident and after review, the consensus is that Roussel will sit out the next two games for the Dallas Stars to serve a suspension.

“Roussel’s cross-check can neither be classified as reflexive nor defensive. The players square off and face each other well in advance of Roussel’s stick striking McQuaid, and Roussel can see that McQuaid has dropped his stick,” the NHL’s Department of Player Safety explained. “What’s more, rather than simply raising his stick to block an anticipated blow from McQuaid, Roussel drives it forward and into McQuaid. This action is proactive, not reactive”

Roussel was previously fined by the NHL for throwing a cheap shot at San Jose defenseman Justin Braun.  He will miss the Stars games against the Florida Panthers tonight and Saturday’s game against the Avalanche. He is eligible to return February 17 for the team to take on the St. Louis Blues.  Due to the previous fine and being a repeat offender, based on his salary, he also forfeits $21,505.38 to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.