Hayden Hodgson Suspended Two Games for Boarding.

Senators' Hayden Hodgson Suspended Two Games for Boarding

Ottawa Senators forward Hayden Hodgson has been suspended two games without pay for boarding Los Angeles Kings defenceman Brandt Clarke during Thursday night's 6-5 overtime loss in Los Angeles.

The incident occurred at 11:10 of the second period when Hodgson delivered a hit from behind on Clarke as the Kings defenceman retrieved the puck in the corner. Hodgson was assessed a five-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct.

https://www.nhl.com/video/topic/player-safety/hodgson-suspended-2-games-6407686772112

In explaining its decision, the NHL's Department of Player Safety said Hodgson approached Clarke at a high rate of speed and failed to avoid or minimize contact, driving Clarke's head into the boards.

The league acknowledged Hodgson's argument that he was attempting to deliver a legal shoulder-to-shoulder check but determined Clarke was in a defenseless position and Hodgson was responsible for avoiding the dangerous contact.

Hodgson, who has previously been fined once in his 24-game NHL career, will forfeit $8,762.88 in salary. The money will go to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Senators Recall Bourgault and Tomasino

Earlier Friday, the Senators recalled forwards Xavier Bourgault and Philip Tomasino from the Belleville Senators.

With Hodgson unavailable for the next two games and Andre Burakovsky leaving Thursday's game against Los Angeles, Ottawa could need both forwards for its weekend games against San Jose and Anaheim.

Tomasino leads Belleville with 11 points (four goals and seven assists) in 10 games, while Bourgault has recorded nine points (three goals and six assists) in 10 games.