Tucker Poolman has no disciplinary history, which likely helped his cause. Thus far this season, he has recorded one assist in 13 games. Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Canucks' Tucker Poolman banned two games for high-sticking Avalanche's Kiefer Sherwood

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 11/12/21

Trouble was bound to be coming for Canucks defenseman Tucker Poolman the second he responded to a check from Colorado Avalanche forward Kiefer Sherwood by swinging his stick at the opposing player in the third period of Vancouver's 7-1 loss on Thursday.

Tucker Poolman is out of this game, being assessed a match penalty (intent to injure) for swinging his stick at the head of Sherwood. @NHLPlayerSafety likely to rule on this tomorrow pic.twitter.com/PPserkNRgN
— NHL Review (@nhl_review) November 12, 2021

Some may feel that Poolman got away with merely a slap on the wrist after he was assessed a match penalty.

The NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Friday that Poolman has been suspended without pay for two games for his actions. He will be docked $25,000, and that money will go to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

"It is important to note that this is not a play where a player simply loses control of his stick, nor one where an off-balance player flails to try to steady himself," the league explains in a video. "This is not a hockey play. This is an intentional and retaliatory stick swing, that strikes an opponent directly in the head. Such actions cannot be excused."

Poolman has no disciplinary history, which likely helped his cause. Thus far this season, he has recorded one assist in 13 games.

The 5-7-2 Canucks play at the 8-6-0 Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night.

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