Ryan Reaves fate decided by NHL Player Safety after massive hit on Darnell Nurse
A final decision has been made in the violent hit on Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse by Toronto Maple Leafs Forward Ryan Reaves.
NHL Player Safety has announced that Reaves has officially been suspended for 5 games.
Toronto Maple Leafs grinder Ryan Reaves was ejected from the game against the Edmonton Oilers after a massive headshot on Oilers D Darnell Hurse.
The play happened early in the second period of the Leafs & Oilers game, with Nurse having control of the puck behind his own end. Reaves, attempting to gain possession, knocked into Nurse, getting his shoulder into Nurse's head first.
Reaves was assessed a match penalty and was ejected from the game for the Leafs, now down to 11 forwards. Reaves was expected to face player safety for the hit.
The Oilers announced Nurse would not return to the game with what the team is calling an upper-body injury.
Reaves, who has been both applauded and criticized in the past for his hard-hitting physical game that has caused injuries and suspensions. Reaves has had three suspensions in his NHL career and has been the subject of numerous high-profile hits that have led to penalties and fines.
Reaves, 37, has a point in 15 games for the Leafs this season with 8 penalty minutes.
Nurse, 29, has 2 goals and 9 points in 17 games for the Oilers this season.
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