Yanni Gourde gets suspended for dangerous charging on Mattias Ekholm

Earlier on Friday, it had been reported that Seattle Kraken forward Yanni Gourde was called in for a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Friday.

He has just found out that he has been suspended two games for charging Edmonton Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm.

The incident took place in the last moments of the third period in last night’s Kraken’s 4-2 loss to the Oilers.

Gourde can be seen leaving his feet and jump high on Ekholm, who was retrieving the puck in the Oilers’ end with his body facing the boards. He landed the quite high on the defenseman. The Kraken’s forward has given a major penalty for charging and most fans had a feeling this one was going to make its way to the NHL Department of Player Safety.

On that same play, Ekholm received a two-minute minor for roughing against Gourde.

It was however the Oilers who converted on the power-play with forward Zach Hyman scored to ensure the win for Edmonton.

Gourde, who has seven goals and 19 points in 45 games this season for Seattle, recorded an assist on Jared McCann’s goal in the first period. He will be eligible to return from his two-game suspension next Friday when the Kraken hosts the St. Louis Blues. He will miss Sunday’s contest against the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs and the game at home vs. the Chicago Blackhawks.

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