Eichel doesn't believe his hit on Soderberg deserved suspension
Buffalo Sabres captain Jack Eichel disagrees with the NHL's decision to suspend him two games for his hit to the head of Colorado Avalanche forward Carl Soderberg on Saturday.
"If you look at the hit and you look at the rule book, I just didn't think it matched up," Eichel told Paul Hamilton of WGR 550.
Here's a look at the play, which Eichel was penalized for.
Eichel gets a penalty for a head shot. doesnt look good #sabres #goavsgo pic.twitter.com/NZJitRAgtv
— Buffalo Sabres plays and goals (@SabresPlays) March 9, 2019
"That's not an illegal hit. I don't move myself to lower into him," Eichel said. "If you watch the hit, he is actually at fault for dropping his head down there. He puts himself in a vulnerable position, leans over, and his head goes off my back - his head's on my number."
Sabres coach Phil Housley shares his captain's point of view.
"I don't agree with the decision, but we have to live with it, that's all I'm going to say," he said.
Eichel leads the Sabres with 72 points in 65 games this season. He's eligible to return Saturday versus the Carolina Hurricanes.