Minnesota Wild forward Mike Rupp has been suspended four games by the NHL’s department of player safety for his illegal check to St. Louis Blues forward T.J. Oshie’s head Thursday night.
Rupp will miss the Wild’s final regular-season game and first three playoff games. It’s unlikely the Wild were planning on using Rupp in the postseason anyway, as Thursday’s game marked the first time he had played since Feb. 1. He has played in just four games since Dec. 31.
The dangerous hit that knocked Oshie out of the game came in the second period of the Wild’s 4-2 win. The NHL determined Rupp’s main point of contact was Oshie’s head, ruling it an illegal check as well as interference, as Rupp made contact after the Blues star had passed the puck.
Rupp was assessed a match penalty for “attempt to injure.”
Oshie, who is listed as day to day, will not be in the Blues’ lineup Friday night when St. Louis faces the Dallas Stars.
Check out the league’s explanation of Rupp’s suspension in the video below.
