
Vancouver forward Jake Virtanen has been suspended for two games by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for hitting Sharks defenseman Roman Polak on Tuesday night at Rogers Arena.
Virtanen was issued a major for interference and a game misconduct on the play at 2:01 of the second period of the Sharks’ 4-1 win.
According to the video released by the league, Virtanen deserved supplemental discipline for the “extreme lateness” and “predatory nature” of the hit. Polak looked dazed after the play and took several moments to get back on his skates, but was able to finish the game.
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Sharks coach Pete DeBoer spoke about the play after the game to reporters.
“Anything that’s late like that when a guy’s not looking is a dangerous hit,” he said. “I know [Virtanen is] a good young player, hopefully he learns a lesson and gets that out of his game.”
The 19-year-old will forfeit $9,614.70 in salary, and will miss the Canucks’ game in San Jose on Thursday.
It’s the second time in less than a month that Polak has been on the receiving end of a dirty play. On March 8 in Edmonton, he was jumped by the Oilers’ Darnell Nurse and suffered a broken nose. Nurse was suspended for three games.