Suspension looms as Brandon Carlo's Blues debut ends with game misconduct after scary hit on Roope Hintz
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Brandon Carlo got a five-minute major and a game misconduct for kneeing Roope Hintz in the Blues' 4-0 win over the Stars on Friday.
Hintz returned.
Brandon Carlo's debut with the St. Louis Blues ended early on Friday night.
The defenseman was handed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for kneeing Dallas Stars forward Roope Hintz 2:49 into the third period of the season opener.
The Blues were already up 2-0 when it happened.
Hintz tried to corral a pass that bounced over his stick near the St. Louis blue line, Carlo stepped up to finish a hit, and their knees collided.
Officials reviewed the play before sending Carlo to the dressing room.
Hintz stayed down and needed help getting to the bench, barely putting any weight on his left knee.
That was a scary sight for a Dallas team already without Matt Duchene, who was placed on long-term injured reserve during training camp.
Hintz returns before the major ends
Dallas got a bit of relief when Hintz came back to the game before Carlo's penalty expired.
That mattered, since losing him on opening night would have been a real blow to the Stars' lineup.
He had looked like he might be done for the night.
The Stars could not cash in on the five-minute power play, and St. Louis rolled to a 4-0 win.
Carlo finished with 15:27 of ice time in his first game for his new club.
Fans are split on the call
Reaction online was all over the place.
Some fans called it a soft call, while others felt it deserved a suspension.
Carlo appeared to be focused on a shoulder check, and Hintz slipped inside at the last second, which is how the knees met.
Whether the league wants a closer look is something to watch.
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