Canucks: Tucker Poolman suspended two games

Vancouver Canucks defenceman Tucker Poolman has been suspended two games for high-sticking Colorado Avalanche forward Kiefer Sherwood.

Poolman had a hearing on Friday morning and at around 12:30 PM, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced his punishment.

The incident occurred on Thursday night during the Canucks embarrassing 7-1 loss to the Avalanche.

Shortly after the halfway point in the third period with the Canucks being down 6-1, Poolman skated behind his net and attempted to clear the puck.  Sherwood then tried to deliver a body check on Poolman. Poolman fought threw the check, stopped, turned around and then swung his stick at the side of Sherwood’s head which caused him to fall to the ice.

Poolman was assessed a five-minute major and a match penalty.

In the DOPS video, they explained that the play is high sticking and it is important to note that this is not a player where the player simply loses control of the stick or one where an off balance player tries to steady himself.  The DOPS says it is not a hockey play.

They also describe the play as an intentional and retaliatory stick swing that strikes an opponent directly in the head.

The decision was based on the fact that it was clearly high-sticking and Poolman has not been suspended or fined previously in his 133 game NHL career.

As a result, the Canucks will be without Poolman in Las Vegas on Saturday and in Anaheim on Sunday but he will return when the Canucks meet the Avalanche at Rogers Arena on Wednesday.  So with him and Travis Hamonic not on the road trip due to not being a fully vaccinated individual yet, the Canucks are down two right-handed defencemen.

Poolman has one assist in 13 games this season.

On Friday morning, the Canucks announced they called up Madison Bowey from Abbotsford and he will join them in Vegas.

What are your thoughts on Poolman’s two game suspension? Let us know in the comments below.