Full Breakdown
Ottawa Senators Forward Hayden Hodgson Receives Two-Game Suspension for Boarding
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Incident and Suspension
Ottawa Senators forward Hayden Hodgson was assessed a two-game suspension by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety after he delivered a boarding hit on Los Angeles Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke midway through the second period of the Kings’ 6-5 overtime win. The department announced the penalty on Friday, classifying the hit as a major boarding infraction and issuing a game misconduct in addition to the suspension.
02
Financial Penalty
Along with the suspension, Hodgson was required to forfeit US$8,762.88 in salary. The forfeited amount is directed to the NHL Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund, which provides financial support to players in need.
03
Context of NHL Discipline
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety routinely reviews incidents involving dangerous hits and determines appropriate disciplinary measures based on factors such as the severity of the contact, the injured player’s condition, and the offending player’s disciplinary history. Boarding violations, which involve a player delivering a hit that forces an opponent into the boards with significant force, are among the league’s most heavily penalized offenses.
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Impact on the Ottawa Senators
The two-game absence reduces the Senators’ forward depth for the upcoming schedule, potentially affecting line rotations and special-teams units. The loss also carries a financial implication for Hodgson, though the forfeited salary is allocated to a charitable fund rather than the team’s payroll. The suspension underscores the league’s ongoing emphasis on player safety and may serve as a deterrent for similar infractions by other players.