Radko Gudas Suspended 5 Games for Hit on Auston Matthews

The NHL Department of Player Safety explained the situation by using the following explanation:

Forward Auston Matthews was injured on the play. As the video shows, Matthews receives a pass from a teammate in front of the Ducks’ goal. Radko Gudas is skating back toward the slot with speed to defend against the scoring chance. In an attempt to make a defensive play on Matthews, Gudas goes in leading with his knee, driving it forward and making forceful, direct contact with Matthews, which causes him to fall to the ice.

“It is important to note that Gudas is in control of this play. We acknowledge Gudas’ assertion that he was attempting to deliver a full-body check and prevent a goal. However, this contact cannot be excused as a play in which evasive or sudden movements by either player were the primary cause of the knee-on-knee contact.”

They add, “If Gudas wants to deliver this hit, the onus is on him to ensure he approaches in a way that allows him to deliver a legal full-body check. Instead, he leads with an extended knee and finds himself lined up outside of Matthews’ core. Gudas then leans toward contact with Matthews in a way that results in a forceful, dangerous, and direct knee-on-knee collision.”

To summarize, Matthews suffered an injury on the play. Gudas has been suspended four times previously in his 881-game NHL career, with his last suspension occurring more than seven years ago. The Department of Player Safety has suspended Radko Gudas for five games.

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