Winnipeg Jets forward Adam Lowry has been suspended two games for boarding Calgary Flames defenceman Oliver Kylington, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Monday.
Late in the second period of Saturday’s outdoor Heritage Classic game, Lowry was issued a minor boarding penalty for hitting Kylington from behind and dangerously driving him into the boards. Lowry was issued a two-minute minor boarding penalty at the time.
Fair punishment for Adam Lowry's hit on Oliver Kylington? #GoJetsGo | #NHL pic.twitter.com/2PrCUkS7pa
— Tim and Sid (@timandsid) October 28, 2019
The player safety department explained that Lowry had ample time to adjust his course to lessen his hit — or avoid it altogether — in an effort to prevent the illegal infraction.
“It is important to note that from the moment Kylington collects the puck behind the net, Lowry sees nothing but his back,” the department explained via video Monday when the ruling came down. “While we acknowledge Lowry’s assertion that he anticipated Kylington opening up as he came up ice so that Lowry could deliver a legal check, the onus is on Lowry to adjust course when that does not happen.”
Lowry will miss the first two games of the Jets’ west-coast road trip, at Anaheim Tuesday and at San Jose Friday, and will be able to re-join the lineup Saturday in Vegas.
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