Islanders Maxim Tsyplakov suspended 3 games for illegal check on Flyers team president Ryan Poehling
The NHL suspended New York Islanders rookie forward Maxim Tsyplakov for three games for what it deemed an illegal check to Philadelphia Flyers center Ryan Boehling on Thursday during the Flyers’ 5-3 win at UBS Arena.
The accident occurred at 8:24 of the first half. A split second after Boehling put a shot into the net after a short lunge, Tsyplakov bumped him, fell in a heap and eventually had to be helped off the ice. After a brief video review, the on-ice officials deemed it a clean hit. Poehling is no longer.
In a video explaining the punishment, the league said Boehling’s head was the “key point of contact” and “could have been avoided.” Tsyplakov, in his first NHL season, has no history of supplemental discipline.
New York Islanders’ Maxim Tsyplakov has been suspended three games for an illegal head check on Philadelphia’s Ryan Boehling.
– NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) January 17, 2025
Tsyplakov will miss the Islanders’ home games against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday and the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday, and will remain suspended for the Flyers-Islanders game on Friday, January 24 on Long Island. The teams also meet at the Wells Fargo Center on January 30.
In the immediate aftermath of the hit, several Flyers players challenged Tsyplakov throughout the remainder of the first period. However, they refocused at the break, and a second-half three-goal lead sealed the win.
“When you see a teammate go down like that, it’s never good, when your head is kind of on target,” Scott Laughton said after Flyers practice Friday in Newark. “I think we did a good job, honestly. I think if (Tsyplakov) fights someone, it’s over, and then you have to go about your business. But that didn’t happen, so it went on throughout the game. We’ll see what happens here with the league.”
Tsyplakov He told Hockey News He thought it was a “good hit.”
“I didn’t think it was dirty, but I didn’t want to hurt anyone. I hope he’s okay. I think their team’s reaction is normal after that kind of blow.
In 43 games this season, Boehling has scored 4 goals and dished out 11 assists for 15 points, skating mostly as a fourth-line center. Flyers coach John Tortorella confirmed Friday that Boehling will miss Saturday’s game with New Jersey with an upper-body injury. Luton will likely switch to centre, while Oli Lexell will return to the lineup against the Devils.
Tsyplakov (26 years old) has 19 points (7 goals and 12 assists) in 44 games with Al Jazira.
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(Photo: Mike Staub/NHLI via Getty Images)
