New York, NY – The National Hockey League suspended Philadelphia Flyers forward Zac Rinaldo for two games without pay on Monday.
Rinaldo was given the ban for an illegal check on Red Wings defenseman Jonathan Ericsson late in the first period of a 3-2 Detroit victory on Sunday night. He was given a minor for charging on the play.
"Ericsson is eligible to be hit in this situation, and Rinaldo is in position to deliver a legal, punishing hit. Instead, Rinaldo launches himself high and into Ericsson, his skates considerably leaving the ice. This is charging," said NHL discipline czar Brendan Shanahan in his video explanation of the incident.
"Though Ericsson should have been more aware in order to face an oncoming check after reversing the puck, that still doesn't allow Rinaldo to launch himself and deliver such a high hit. By doing so, he turned what might have been a hard, legal body check into an illegal charge."
Rinaldo will forfeit $5,885.88 in salary, which automatically goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund, and will not be eligible to return until February 21 when the Flyers play in Winnipeg.
It is the second time in a week the NHL has taken action against the 21-year- old suburban Toronto native.
He was fined a total of $5,000 for two separate incidents in a February 4 game against New Jersey. The first came for a late hit on Jacob Josefson and the second for an intentional slew-foot of Zach Parise.
Rinaldo received a minor for interference for the incident involving Josefson, but was not assessed a penalty on the action against Parise.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.