Stars' Jamie Benn issues surprising response regarding brutal cross-check
Following his ejection in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final after brutally cross-checking Vegas Golden Knights' Mark Stone in a 4-0 loss, Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn addressed the nasty incident that ultimately led to a suspension from the NHL on Wednesday.
"Obviously, I didn't want to take a five-minute penalty," Benn said via Sportsnet. "The game happens fast, emotions are high. Obviously, I would have liked to not fall on him and use my stick as a landing point."
Benn's explanation of Tuesday's borderline assault on Stone is interesting, considering replays show him "land" on the Vegas forward in a cross-checking motion after knocking him to the ice.
The NHL didn't buy Benn's side of the story, handing him a two-game suspension a day before what could be the Stars' final game of the 2022-23 campaign.
"It's important to note that Benn is in control of this play at all times and makes the decision to deliver a forcefully cross-check to a prone player," the explanation from the NHL Department of Player Safety said. "This is simply an unnecessarily dangerous decision by Benn, and it is delivered with sufficient intent and force to warrant supplemental discipline."
Benn is out for Game 4 and a potential Game 5 but will serve the remaining game of his suspension at the start of the 2023-24 regular season if Vegas completes the sweep of Dallas on Thursday.
Assessed a cross-checking major and a game misconduct 1:53 into the first period of Game 3, Benn put his Stars, already down 1-0, in a precarious position, which only got worse. Ivan Barbashev scored on the ensuing Golden Knights' powerplay, shifting momentum before another first-period goal from Will Carrier gave Vegas a commanding 3-0 lead after only 20 minutes of play.
Benn blamed his costly actions on the high emotion of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, after costing his team a chance to get back in the series in Game 3, he's likely ended their season too, as they must go on without him facing an all but impossible 3-0 hill to climb.
More must-reads: