San Jose Sharks forward Elias Lindholm has been suspended for two games as a result of a high-sticking incident during Sunday’s game against the Calgary Flames, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced Monday.
Hertl, 29, struck Flames forward Elias Lindholm in the face directly after the opening faceoff in the third period of Sunday’s game. The on-ice officials called a two-minute minor penalty for high-sticking against Hertl as a result of the play, which took place just two seconds into the third period.
Hertl will forfeit $87,972.98 of his salary while serving his suspension, the league announced. The money will go the NHL Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
Before this incident, Hertl had never been fined or suspended even once in his 10-year NHL career. He’ll be eligible to return to the Sharks’ lineup when they face the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on Dec. 27.
Hertl has 11 goals and 32 points in 33 games with the Sharks this year. He’s currently playing in the first season of the eight-year extension he signed with the Sharks back in March.
The Sharks currently sit in seventh place in the NHL’s Pacific Division with a 10–17–6 record and 26 points through 33 games this season. They own the NHL’s worst home record (3–9–5), a minus-20 goal differential and a .394 points percentage.
The Flames defeated the Sharks by a 5–2 score at the SAP Center in San Jose on Sunday evening. Hertl will serve the first game of his suspension when the Sharks and Flames meet again for a rematch in San Jose on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. PT.
More must-reads: