New York Islanders Ross Johnston suspended three games over head shot on A.J. Greer
New York Islanders forward Ross Johnston has been suspended three games for a hit to the head of New Jersey Devils forward A.J. Greer.
The hit happened Thursday night when the two teams met.
The number of games that Ross Johnston should be suspended for this hit on A.J. Greer is _______games?
(he's having a hearing with @NHLPlayerSafety today)
CC: @TimCPeel20 pic.twitter.com/irnurJwp0T
Greer retreated into the Devils zone just over three minutes into the first period corraling a cycled puck. Johnston, who was forechecking on the play, turned and took two strides towards Greer lowering his shoulder and left arm.
Greer turned to flip the puck out of the defensive zone and Johnston followed through with the high hit. As noted by the Department of Player Safety, Greer’s head was the principal point of contact — something the league called an avoidable hit.
“If Johnston wants to deliver this hit legally, Johnston must take an angle that hits through Greer’s shoulder and core, rather than one that makes the head the main point of contact,” the league said.
Johnston, the Department of Player Safety said, has had no history with the department over his 95 game NHL career. A two-minute minor was issued on the play.
On Friday, Devils head coach Lindy Ruff said Greer is expected to miss “serious time” with an injury.
I asked Lindy Ruff today how #NJDevils AJ Greer was doing after the check to the head from Islanders Ross Johnston:
“He’s doing ok. Not great. He’s going to miss what I would call serious time.”
Greer was playing in his second game of the season last night, and just his third in a Devils uniform.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.