The Phoenix Coyotes run for the playoffs is going to have to take place without forward Shane Doan for the next three games, as the NHL announced on Wednesday evening that he has been suspended three games for elbowing Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn on Tuesday night during Phoenix's 4-3 shootout loss.
"Benn emerges with the puck from a scrum deep in the Dallas zone," said Shanahan in his latest video explanation, which is shown above. "As Doan approaches him, Benn backhands the puck past Doan and heads up the ice. Just as Benn is jumpnig past him, Doan extends out with his right elbow making contact with Benn's head."
Shanahan also went on to add that while he accepted that it wasn't intentional on Doan's part, he still felt that Doan's extended elbow was "reckless" and made him responsible for the resulting contact, and that his three-game suspension 17 months ago for an illegal hit to the head, as well as a recent fine for boarding, were all taken into account when issuing the three-game banishment.
The suspension will cost Doan over $166,000 in salary, which, as always, will go the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
The Coyotes are currently in the ninth spot in the Western Conference with 84 points, but are still just one point behind Dallas for the top spot in the Pacific Division (and a potential top-three seed in the Western Conference playoffs).
Doan will miss games against Colorado, San Jose and St. Louis, and will be eligible to return to the lineup on March 29 when the Coyotes host the Sharks.
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