Ottawa Senators winger Austin Watson was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for charging New York Rangers forward Tyler Motte, a former teammate, on Thursday.
The incident occurred in the first period of a game at Madison Square Garden. As Motte was battling for the puck along the boards in the Rangers' zone, Watson came across the ice and hit him hard into the boards. Motte fell to the ice and needed to be helped up by trainers before he went to the locker room. The Rangers later said Motte would not return to the game.
A replay review by officials showed Watson's primary point of contact on Motte was the chin, which led to Watson's ejection.
Watson will be considered a repeat offender if the NHL's Department of Player Safety decides to suspend him. Last season, he was suspended two games for a high hit on Boston Bruins defenceman Jack Ahcan.
The Rangers acquired Motte from the Senators in a trade on Feb. 19.
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