Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Wild's Carson Soucy suspended one game for charging

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 3/17/21

The NHL's Department of Player Safety announced on Wednesday that Minnesota Wild defenseman Carson Soucy is suspended one game for charging Arizona Coyotes forward Conor Garland in the first period of Tuesday's game that Minnesota won 3-0.

With under 9:30 to play in the opening period, Soucy delivered a high blow that downed Garland, and he ultimately received a five-minute major for the crime of elbowing:

As noted by Randy Johnson of the Star Tribune, the player safety department explained Soucy "elevated unnecessarily, launching up and into a check that makes significant contact with Garland's head."

Per the collective bargaining agreement, Soucy was also fined $23,706.90. As is always the case with such punishments, that money goes to the NHL's Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

"It goes by really slow when you're sitting in there [in the penalty box] all by yourself and these guys are grinding out there," Soucy said of serving the penalty. "I know [Ian Cole] took one right in the hand, but they sacrificed and obviously did a great job."

Soucy will be unavailable for Thursday's matchup at the Colorado Avalanche. Minnesota has won five straight games and sits second in the NHL West standings on 37 points, one point ahead of Colorado.

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