Oilers' Jujhar Khaira suspended two games for illegal cross-check

Conor Roche

Oilers' Jujhar Khaira suspended two games for illegal cross-check image

Edmonton Oilers forward Jujhar Khaira received a two-game suspension for his cross-check on St. Louis Blues defenceman Vince Dunn, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced on Wednesday.

The play happened in the third period of Tuesday night's game between the two teams at Rogers Place.

Khaira hit Dunn with a legal check during a puck chase into Blues' end. The two skated in front of the net where Dunn retaliated to the initial hit with a cross-check to Khaira's head. Khaira then gave Dunn a hard cross-check to the head, knocking Dunn down to the ice and laying on top of him. Khaira received a major penalty and a game misconduct for the hit.

In a video, the department acknowledged that Dunn's hit was illegal but it wasn't as forceful as Khaira's. This is Khaira's first incident, which also played a role in the length of his suspension.

Dunn was fined $1,942 for his hit, which is the maximum amount allowed by the collective bargaining agreement.

Khaira will miss the Oilers' games against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday and the Vancouver Canucks on Dec. 27. He will make his return against the San Jose Sharks on Dec. 29.

Conor Roche