Duncan Keith tossed for high-sticking Charlie Coyle’s face (Video)
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith received a match penalty in the first period of his team’s game against the Minnesota Wild for swinging his stick at Charlie Coyle’s face.
The play happened at the 9:27 mark after Coyle hit Keith to the ice with a bodycheck. Keith then used his stick to hit Coyle on the nose. Coyle drew blood on the play. Keith received a five-minute major and was ejected.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the NHL was reviewing the play for possible extra discipline.
Keith was most recently suspended one game during the 2013 Western Conference Final for a “retaliatory” high-stick on Los Angeles Kings forward Jeff Carter. He was also suspended five games for an elbow to the head of Vancouver Canucks winger Daniel Sedin in 2012.
Losing Keith for any time could slow the Blackhawks as they move towards the playoffs. They’ve won three games since March 9, and are without starting goaltender Corey Crawford, who has a reported head injury. Defenseman Brent Seabrook is out of Tuesday’s game against the Wild with an illness.
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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper