Tampa Bay Lightning D Erik Cernak has a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety on Friday for an elbow to the head of Sabres captain Kyle Okposo.
Hearings like this almost always result in a suspension, so it's a matter of how 'many rather' than 'if.'
Cernak was not assessed any penalty on the play. Most concerning, is the fact that Okposo has a deep history with concussions, most recently in 2018.
Tampa Bay's Erik Cernak will have a hearing today for Elbowing Buffalo's Kyle Okposo.— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) February 24, 2023
The play in question:
No penalty on the ice, brutal missed call. But have to imagine Cernak receives some discipline? Kyle Okposo has a long history of head injuries and this kind of hit has to be taken out of the game completely. pic.twitter.com/QXXlAK5Noh— 2 Goalies 1 Mic (@2Goalies1Mic) February 24, 2023
In 2019, Cernak was suspended for two games for elbowing Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, so he's a man with a rap sheet:
Erik Cernak gets away with an elbow on Rasmus Dahlin pic.twitter.com/tMOIked0X2— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) November 26, 2019
Does Cernak deserve a suspension for this play? If so, how many games?
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