MISSISSAUGA, Ont. -- Kootenay Ice captain Brayden McNabb has been suspended for one game by the Canadian Hockey League for elbowing Owen Sound Attack center Joey Hishon in the face late in Saturday's MasterCard Memorial Cup game between the teams.
McNabb, a defenseman taken in the third round of the 2009 Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, will miss the Ice's game Sunday (7 p.m. ET, NHLN-US, SportsNet) against the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors here at the Hershey Centre. It's the first Memorial Cup suspension since 1999.
Brian O'Neill, the Memorial Cup discipline chair, said in a statement: "Following a review of the referee's report and watching all of the television footage of the incident, I determined that it was a reckless action by the player but not a deliberate attempt to injure."
With 5:35 left in the Ice's 5-0 loss to the Attack, the 6-foot-4 McNabb met the 5-foot-10 Hishon near center ice. As Hishon tried to get away from the hit, McNabb elbowed him. Hishon did not return to the game. McNabb received an elbowing major and a game misconduct.
Hishon, taken by the Colorado Avalanche with the 17th pick of the 2010 Entry Draft, tied for the lead with 24 points in 22 Ontario Hockey League playoff games. He missed the Attack's practice Sunday.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.