Nikita Nesterov could be in some big, big trouble.
The Lightning defenseman caused a fracas during the club's game against the Stars on Thursday when he put an illegal hit from behind on Dallas winger Curtis McKenzie, which saw the forward's face strike the boards. Now, he'll hear from the league.
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Nesterov was given a five-minute penalty and a game misconduct and the Lightning scored on the ensuing extended power play. McKenzie left the game with what the team has dubbed a lower-body injury and didn't return. Following the check, McKenzie was writhing in pain on the ice.
The hit came late in the second period and with the league continuing to crack down on these types of dangerous plays, it's likely that Nesterov will be suspended. The hit was also costly for Tampa Bay because it caused the team to play down a defenseman for the rest of the contest.
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Dallas coach Lindy Ruff confirmed that McKenzie went to the hospital following the hit, and he was up in arms about how dirty the play was, saying Nesterov should serve a suspension for it. There has been no health update on McKenzie, while Nesterov was due to face a hearing with the league at 4:30 p.m. ET on Friday.
Curtis McKenzie is in hospital. Lindy Ruff doesn't say what injury is, but said Nesterov should be suspended.
— Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) October 16, 2015
"We made them pay for what I thought was a brutal hit," Ruff told Sportsday. "There's no doubt in my mind he should be suspended."
The Stars went on to topple the Lightning, 5-3, gaining a measure of revenge for the infraction. These two clubs don't play again until Mar. 17.
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