Canucks' Carson Soucy Suspended One Game for Cross-Checking Connor McDavid

Karl Rasmussen | May 13, 2024

Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid skates past Vancouver Canucks defenseman Carson Soucy. / Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Carson Soucy has been dealt a suspension for one playoff game following his postgame altercation with Connor McDavid after the final whistle of Sunday's Game 3.

In the immediate aftermath of the Canucks' 4–3 win, McDavid and Soucy could be seen getting into it on the ice. The Edmonton Oilers' star appeared to slash at Soucy, who responded in turn by delivering a nasty crosscheck straight to McDavid's face, which was made worse by the fact that Nikita Zadorov had shoved McDavid in the back at the same time, causing him to fall into the blow from Soucy.

NHL Player Safety determined that because the incident occurred "well after the whistle ended" and was "not a hockey play" despite the 29-year-old not having a history of offenses. Soucy's been suspended one time in his career, back in 2021.

Vancouver’s Carson Soucy has been suspended for one playoff game for cross-checking Edmonton’s Connor McDavid. https://t.co/EMKIXgUB2R

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) May 13, 2024

In addition to the one-game ban for Soucy, which was determined at a hearing on Monday, Zadorov was fined the league's maximum-allowable amount of $5,000 for his cross-check to the back of McDavid.

Neither McDavid nor Oilers forward Zach Hyman, who landed a cross-check onto Zadorov that required stitches, were disciplined by the league.

Soucy figures to be unavailable for Game 4, which will take place Tuesday night in Edmonton.