The NHL Department of Player Safety has handed down a three-game suspension for Columbus Blue Jackets’ forward Nick Foligno for his hit on Colorado Avalanche forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare.
“It is important to note that Foligno is in control of this contact. This is an attempted body check, and cannot be classified as excusable or accidental contact where Foligno raises his arm reflexively to brace for sudden contact or to attempt to avoid a collision. If he wants to deliver this hit, the onus is on Foligno to ensure that he takes an angle of approach that puts him in a position to make a legal, full-body check.”
The league posted the following video regarding the suspension.
Bellemare suffered a concussion on the play and is out indefinitely
