Jamie Benn of the Stars suspended 2 games for cross-checking Mark Stone

Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn has been suspended two games — coming in the playoffs or regular season — for cross-checking against Vegas Golden Knights forward Mark Stone, the Department of Security announced Wednesday. NHL players.

Benn was ejected less than two minutes after the Stars’ 4-0 loss at home in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals for cross-checking Vegas captain Stone around the jawline while Stone was at flat on ice.

“It’s important to note that Benn is in control of this play at all times and makes the decision to deliver a hard check to a downed player,” the NHL said in its decision Wednesday afternoon. “It’s simply an unnecessary decision by Benn and it is made with enough intention and force to merit further discipline.”

Sources told ESPN the NHL was suspended for two games for multiple reasons. As indicated by the match penalty Benn imposed, they believed there was intent to injure on what was “dangerous” play for an opponent in the prone position.

Why wasn’t this suspension more in keeping with the one-game ban imposed on Vegas defenseman Alex Pietrangelo for his intentional blow to the arm of Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl in Game 4 of their series? second round? The answer is location: The NHL deemed Benn targeting Stone’s neck or head worse than an arm.

The NHL has typically issued one-game suspensions for cross-checking during play — like Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Matt Niskanen in 2020 and Los Angeles Kings forward Blake Lizotte this season. But dropping a stick on a vulnerable player required something more substantial for Benn.

The Stars are down 3-0 in the series and will be without Benn for Thursday’s playoff game in Dallas. Benn will miss the team’s regular season opener in 2023-24 if the Stars are eliminated in Game 4.

Earlier on Wednesday, Benn, when speaking to reporters, described it as a “heating moment” play that led to the game’s penalty kick on Tuesday night. He said he needed to be more responsible with his body and his stick.

“It was my first shift of a home game, when you’re kind of fired up and you’re down 1-0. So you want to try and push your game forward. Emotions run high and it’s just a game unhappy,” Benn said. “I put my team in a difficult situation, so it’s quite unfortunate.”

“It didn’t feel good to me,” Stone told reporters on Wednesday. “I think I was more a bit surprised. It was early in the game, it was my first shift. I didn’t expect to be trampled like that. But I could hear the referee say making sure I was straight and felt good to get up. The referees made sure the right call was made.

When asked if he would change anything about the game, Benn said he believed he ran into Stone.

“Obviously I didn’t want to take a five-minute penalty, but when the game goes fast the emotions run high. Obviously I wish I hadn’t bumped into him and I guess I use my stick as a starting point. landing,” he said. said.

The NHL also fined Stars forward Max Domi $5,000 on Wednesday for a penalty against Stone at 6:09 of the third period.

Domi was not penalized on this play, but he was involved in a mess earlier late in the second period when he hit Vegas defender Nicolas Hague from behind and then threw a few punches at Hague. Domi was ordered to cross-check and bully minors, as well as a 10-minute misconduct penalty.

In addition to their captain, the Stars will also potentially be without forward Evgenii Dadonov for Game 4 as he is doubtful with an injury.

Information from Reuters has been included in this report.