Canucks’ Quinn Hughes assessed major penalty for boarding, ejected vs. Senators

The penalty occurred in the defensive zone, with the Senators retaining possession behind the goal line. With Elias Pettersson draping on his back, Senators forward Michael Amadio set a back pass around the boards behind the net to Josh Norris.

Hughes covers Norris who collects the puck behind the net and gives him a light cross-check to the back, right in the numbers, and Norris goes face-first into the boards. His face makes contact with the edge of the boards, leaving him with a cut. He leaves for a brief period but is able to return to the game.

On Hockey Night in Canada, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman discussed the reason it was deemed a major penalty:

“This is the key; Norris has the cut. When they did their review, the on-ice officials were adamant that it was an injury. So therefore it had to be a major for boarding. And under rule 41.5, when a major penalty is imposed under this rule, if it results in an injury to the face or head of an opponent, a game misconduct shall be imposed.

“So because of the injury and the automatic game misconduct that comes with a major, that’s why Hughes is out of the game tonight.”

Friedman gave his opinion on the play, saying he did not think Hughes would get ejected, calling it an “accidental play” and that Hughes is not a dirty player.

Hughes and Norris have a long withstanding history together. Not a bidding rivalry, but because they’re great friends. They spent two seasons as teammates at the University of Michigan in 2017-2019 and can often be found spending time together during the summer through Instagram posts.

Like this one at Brady Tkachuk’s wedding in September of 2023.

The Canucks will have to play the remaining 47:31 with five defencemen, with Filip Hronek and Erik Brännström needing to carry the load offensively on the blue line.