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Taylor Girard's Suspension Cut; Set to Return February 26

1/29/2026

37 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Taylor Girard, forward for the New York Sirens, had her four-game suspension reduced.
The original suspension arose from a January 19 incident against the Montreal Victoire.
Girard left the bench to join a fight, triggering an automatic suspension.
Jayna Hefford, the league's executive vice president of hockey operations, reviewed video evidence.
Girard will return February 26 after the Olympic break.

History

Historical Context

In 2011, the NHL introduced stricter penalties for players leaving the bench to join fights, a response to rising concerns about player safety and incidents like the 2011 brawl between the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers. This rule change reflects ongoing efforts to address violence in hockey, influenced by earlier safety measures, including Brendan Shanahan's appointment as vice-president of player safety in 2009.

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Story summary

Taylor Girard, forward for the New York Sirens, had her four-game suspension reduced.
The original suspension arose from a January 19 incident against the Montreal Victoire.
Girard left the bench to join a fight, triggering an automatic suspension.
Jayna Hefford, the league's executive vice president of hockey operations, reviewed video evidence.
Girard will return February 26 after the Olympic break.

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