The Chicago Blackhawks were facing what could be the first fine or suspension of this year’s playoffs on Sunday as Drake Caggiula was set to have a hearing with the NHL Player Safety Committee for his hit on Tyler Ennis in Game 1 between the Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks.
The National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced a few hours after the Blackhawks routed the Oilers that Caggiula’s high hit was not legal and while Ennis did return to the game, for a moment, things looked uncertain.
As you can see in the video below, Ennis’ head does lower on the follow through and Ennis returned to confront Caggiula with a cross check after the play. He was not injured but had to undergo concussion protocols.
If the play results in a suspension, it will likely be only one game. The play did not actually result in a penalty during the game and Ennis actually received a delay of game penalty for shooting the puck over the glass in the same series.
The Oilers lost Game 1 6-4 and will look to rebound Monday night in what will already be deemed a must-win in a five-game series.
Caggiula Suspended One Game
The NHL Player Safety Committee ruled on Sunday that Caggiula would be suspended for a single game.
They wrote:
Chicago’s Drake Caggiula has been suspended for one Stanley Cup Qualifying game for an Illegal Check to the Head on Edmonton’s Tyler Ennis.
Next: Mark Scheifele Goes Down In Game 1 With Injury
