Bettman upholds Voracek's 2-game suspension
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has decided to uphold Philadelphia Flyers forward Jakub Voracek's two-game suspension for interference, he announced Wednesday.
Voracek was disciplined for his hit on New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk.
Jake Voracek injures Johnny Boychuk with a hit. Boychuk tells him "I will get you" pic.twitter.com/YDhon3hUxs
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) March 10, 2019
The NHLPA reportedly filed an appeal on the league's decision Monday, but Bettman has opted not to deter from the initial sentence.
"While I accept Mr. Voracek's explanation that he thought Mr. Boychuk was going to initiate a check, the video makes it clear that it was Mr. Voracek who initiated the contact. At the hearing, it was acknowledged that Mr. Voracek had other options available to him, but instead Mr. Voracek moved into to Mr. Boychuk's path by taking a step to the left and driving upwards into Mr. Boychuk's head," Bettman said in a statement.
Voracek has already served one game and will be eligible to return to the Flyers' lineup Friday versus the Toronto Maple Leafs.