Erik Gudbranson, a defenseman for the Columbus Blue Jackets (#CBJ), faced a hearing with the NHL and was suspended for one game after instigating an altercation with Nick Cousins of the Florida Panthers (#FlaPanthers). Gudbranson's actions led to a 7-minute power play for the Panthers. The NHL stated that players are not excused from grossly violating league rules in retribution for hits. Gudbranson's suspension could have been up to five games or a fine of more than $5,000. The incident occurred during a game where the Blue Jackets lost 5-2 to the Panthers. Gudbranson was relieved not to be seriously injured by Cousins' hit, and he accepted the one-game suspension by the NHL.
The Athletic: #CBJ Erik Gudbranson can accept a one-game suspension for his actions Sunday vs. #TimeToHunt. Mostly, though, Gudbranson and the Blue Jackets were just relieved he wasn’t seriously injured by Nick Cousins’ hit. https://t.co/85yhevENoJ
The Athletic: #CBJ Erik Gudbranson was OK with his one-game suspension by the #NHL. Mostly, though, he was relieved to emerge from a dangerous hit by #TimeToHunt Nick Cousins without serious injury. https://t.co/85yhevENoJ
Blue Jackets' Erik Gudbranson has been suspended one game for “acting as (the) aggressor” in a fight with Panthers Nick Cousins on Sunday. Gudbranson was ejected after instigating the altercation with Cousins in the third period. https://t.co/0bIsY3S1er
The Athletic: #CBJ Erik Gudbranson handed a one-game suspension by #NHL after Sunday's incident with #TimeToHunt's Nick Cousins. https://t.co/s8no0HaKF9
NHL suspends #CBJ defenseman Erik Gudbranson one game for being 'aggressor' in retaliation against #FlaPanthers F Nick Cousins; additional note on Daniil Tarasov being recalled from AHL conditioning stint -> https://t.co/1vRGk008HR via @DispatchAlerts
The NHL RE: Gudbranson’s retaliatory actions and the hit he was seeking retribution for: “While acknowledge his frustration, players are not excused from grossly violating league rules in retribution for hits thrown on them legal or otherwise.” League rule in question ⬇️ https://t.co/CYrfBbzrC9
#CBJ Erik Gudbranson has been suspended 1 game for being the aggressor against #FlaPanthers Nick Cousins.
Told #CBJ Erik Gudbranson’s hearing with the NHL is this afternoon re: Sunday’s incident w #TimeToHunt Nick Cousins. It is a phone hearing, not in-person, so Gudbranson likely looking at a suspension of five games or less, or a $5,000 fine.
Erik Gudbranson is facing suspension and will have a hearing with the NHL after the #cbj defenseman took down Nick Cousins leading to ejection and a 7-minute power play for the #FlaPanthers. LINK: https://t.co/byIjFpq0gz https://t.co/UQRT7axHbQ
Erik Gudbranson’s hearing with @NHLPlayerSafety today is by phone. That means he will receive either a suspension of five games or less, or a fine of more than $5k. Gudbranson is not a “repeat offender”but was suspended one game in 2017 for boarding Frank Vatrano. #CBJ
It was a rowdy night in the NHL, with Nick Cousins hitting Erik Gudbranson from behind and a melee ensuing with Gudbranson, and Ryan Strome's knee-on-knee on Kyle Connor. @CraigJButton on the potential suspensions that could come down: https://t.co/IDfU0bFngz https://t.co/X0BYxCDBqH
The Athletic: Erik Gudbranson’s anger was understandable. And his teammates and coaches supported his outburst(s) on #TimeToHunt Nick Cousins. But Gudbranson’s penalties helped pave the way to a 5-2 #CBJ loss in Nationwide. https://t.co/OhIrTIESTc