Blackhawks' Keith ejected for violent stick-swinging incident
Duncan Keith will likely be hearing from the NHL's Department of Player Safety after this one.
The Chicago Blackhawks defenseman received a match penalty for intending to injure after swinging his stick at Minnesota Wild forward Charlie Coyle's face.
With Brent Seabrook sidelined due to illness, Keith's ejection marked a first for the Blackhawks.
The #Blackhawks have never played without both Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook since they entered the NHL in 2005-06.
— Mark Potash (@MarkPotash) March 30, 2016
Coyle left to receive medical attention but was able to return later in the opening period.
A match penalty, if not rescinded by the NHL, carries an automatic one-game suspension, meaning Keith would be ruled out of Friday's game against Winnipeg. Based on his track record, however, it could very well be longer.
Source: NHL Dept. of Player Safety reviewing Duncan Keith stick swinging incident. He's been suspended before for high sticking. #Blackhawks
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) March 30, 2016
Keith was suspended one game back in the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs for a similar incident involving Los Angeles' Jeff Carter.