Florida Panthers forward Jesse Winchester has been suspended three games by the NHL for his dangerous elbow to the head of Boston Bruins center Chris Kelly during Thursday’s game at TD Garden.
“Rather than make a legal check, Winchester elevates and extends his left elbow, making significant contact with Kelly’s head,” said Brendan Shanahan of the league’s Department of Player Safety. “While not all elbowing penalties necessarily rise to the level of supplemental discipline, on this play, the degree to which Winchester extends his elbow and the force of the contact to Kelly’s head is significant.”
“I know Jesse Winchester. We played together and he’s probably one of the nicest guys in hockey so I’m sure it wasn’t intentional,” said Kelly after Thursday’s game.
For a full explanation of the decision, check out the NHL’s official suspension video below.
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