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Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCredit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh Penguins top-line winger Bryan Rust has been suspended for three games, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Rust <\/a>is being disciplined for a hit to the head of Vancouver\u2019s Brock Boeser on Sunday at the end of the Penguins\u2019 3-2 win<\/a> over the Canucks. It is the first time in his career he has been suspended.<\/p>\n In an explanatory video, the NHL noted that Rust was penalized for an illegal check to the head of Boeser, causing an injury. Boeser subsequently was put on IR.<\/p>\n \u201cDuring a net-front scramble at the Penguins goal, Boeser looks to collect the puck as Rust skates in from the slot,\u201d the video notes. \u201cAs Boeser finds the puck and attempts to play it toward the net, Rust loads up and delivers a high, hard check that misses Boeser\u2019s core, picking his head and making it the main point of contact on a check where such head contact was avoidable. This is an illegal check to the head.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is important that both elements of the illegal-check-to-the-head rule are satisfied on this play. First, the head is the main point of the contact, as Rust\u2019s shoulder and arm make direct contact with Boeser\u2019s head, and it is the head that absorbs the majority of the force. Second, the head contact on this play is avoidable. Rust takes a poor angle of approach, choosing an angle that causes him to cut across the front of Boeser\u2019s body, missing the core. Rust then raises his arm and leans into contact, causing direct contact with Boeser\u2019s head, with requisite force for supplemental discipline. If Rust wants to deliver this check, he must stay low at an angle that hits through the shoulder and core rather than one that makes the head the main point of contact.\u201d<\/p>\n Rust is scheduled to miss the Penguins\u2019 upcoming three-game homestand \u2014 Thursday against Chicago, Saturday against the New York Rangers, and Monday against Ottawa. Rust ranks third on the team in points with 39 and in goals with 18.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTags: Bryan Rust<\/a> Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> Shelly Anderson<\/a> <\/p>\n