By Julie Glass
Flyers forward Jake Voracek will miss the next two vital games in their playoff push after NHL commissioner Gary Bettman upheld his two-game suspension.
Voracek will forfeit $88,709.68 in salary and is eligible to return to the Flyers lineup on Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The incident in question occurred during last Saturday’s game between the Flyers and Isles. Voracek was given a major penalty for interference after he lunged at Islanders’ defenceman Johnny Boychuk while both players were skating towards the puck. Boychuk left the game and didn’t return, and the 35-year-old hasn’t skated since.
On Sunday the NHL suspended Voracek two games for interference and Bettman heard the appeal on Tuesday.
“While I accept Mr. Voracek’s explanation that he thought Mr. Boychuk was going to intiate a check, the video makes it clear that it was Mr. Voracek who initiated the contact,” Bettman wrote in his ruling. “Accordingly, the Department of Player Safety’s decision to suspend Mr. Voracek is supported by clear and convincing evidence and is affirmed.”
