PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without the services of Sidney Crosby when they take the ice for Game 4 against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.
KDKA’s John Shumway Reports:
READ MORE: State Police Looking For Missing 5-Year-Old Lenny Hatinda In Indiana CountyHead coach Mike Sullivan announced that Crosby has suffered a concussion after taking a cross-check to the head during the first period of Game 3.
Sullivan on Crosby’s mindset: “He’s very upbeat and positive. We’re very optimistic and hopeful we’ll have him back in a timely fashion.”
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) May 2, 2017
Washington Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen was was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for the hit, but it appears he will escape further punishment.
According to Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post, Niskanen will not have a disciplinary hearing.
Matt Niskanen will not have a hearing for his cross-check on Sidney Crosby.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) May 2, 2017
The incident happened early in the first period as Crosby drove to the net. First, Alex Ovechkin slashed Crosby in the shoulder area and the follow-through caught the Penguins’ captain in the head. Additionally, their skates came together. The result of all the contact caused Crosby to lose his balance.
READ MORE: Pittsburgh Public Schools Board Approves Health And Safety PlanFans are livid and should be !! Niskanen 5 minute major Game Misconduct!! Caps resort to cheap tactics.
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) May 1, 2017
As he was leaning back and possibly about to fall to the ice, Niskanen met him with a cross-check to the face. It’s debatable whether or not it was intentional because the whole sequence happened very fast.
Regardless of intent, it was a brutal hit and the call on the ice was warranted.
Crosby remained down on the ice for a brief period of time before he was helped to the locker room. He did not return to the game.
KDKA’s Bob Allen has more from Fans:
The team has also announced that Conor Sheary suffered a concussion in Game 3 after a collision with Patric Hornqvist.
The Penguins lost the Game 3, 3-2 in overtime, but still lead the series 2-1.
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