NHL to Discipline Bryan Rust for Game Incident?
The NHL is investigating a hit made by Bryan Rust during a recent game against the Vancouver Canucks. This hit occurred in the final moments of the match, raising concerns about potential disciplinary actions.
Incident Details Involving Bryan Rust
In the closing seconds of the game, Rust delivered a high hit on Canucks player Brock Boeser. This incident took place during a scramble as Vancouver attempted to score the tying goal. Although Rust’s actions went unpenalized at the time, many are anticipating supplementary discipline from the league.
Reactions from the Canucks
The Vancouver players expressed their dissatisfaction with Rust’s hit in their post-game comments. Broadcaster Rick Dhaliwal noted that “the expectation is that supplemental discipline will be coming.” This may lead to either a fine or a suspension for Rust.
Rust’s Season and Discipline History
Contrary to the severity of recent events, Bryan Rust has maintained a relatively clean discipline record in the NHL. This season, he has accrued 18 penalty minutes (PIM) in 48 games. Last season, he recorded the same amount of penalty minutes in a total of 71 games. Historically, he has never exceeded 31 PIMs in a season.
- Season PIMs: 18 in 48 games (2023)
- Last season PIMs: 18 in 71 games (2022)
- Most penalty minutes in a season: 31
Comparison to Recent Incidents
When examining potential disciplinary outcomes, the case of Florida’s Brad Marchand is notable. Marchand received a two-minute penalty for a similar hit on Montreal’s Mike Matheson last month but faced no further fines or suspension. However, the circumstances differ, as Marchand was penalized while Rust’s hit went unaddressed during gameplay.
Current Status of Brock Boeser
Following the incident, there has been no update on Brock Boeser’s condition after he was assisted off the ice. The Penguins ultimately triumphed over the Canucks with a score of 3-2, marking their fourth consecutive win.
Looking Ahead for the Penguins
As the team prepares for their next game against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, there is keen anticipation surrounding Rust’s status. The Penguins await further communication from the NHL regarding any disciplinary actions stemming from this incident.
