WATCH: Coyotes forward Jason Zucker delivers MASSIVE hit on Nick Cousins during recent game against Panthers

Jason Zucker landed a huge hit on Nick Cousins from behind and was later heavily penalized for this action.

WATCH: Coyotes forward Jason Zucker delivers MASSIVE hit on Nick Cousins during recent game against Panthers

Jason Zucker boarding Nick Cousins (Image via X)

In the fast-paced game of the NHL, things once got hot during the recent encounter between the Arizona Coyotes and the Florida Panthers. As the two teams faced off in a heated clash, tempers flared in the second period when Jason Zucker got involved with Nick Cousins.

Cross-checking and hits are some of the most common aspects of ice hockey. In almost every game, there seems to be some kind of scuffle breaking out as players do not appreciate the hit on them. However, in this game, Zucker delivered a massive hit on Cousins, which has now become a topic of debate on social media.

YouTube video

The incident kicked off when Cousins had a hit on Jusso Valimaki. Zucker came from behind in retaliation and landed a massive hit on him. Things got ugly from there on as Zucker later got tangled into a fight with Panthers defenceman Gustav Forsling who was not pleased to see his teammate being taken out.

FS Video

For his actions in this incident, Zucker was given a 10-minute penalty for misconduct, five-minute for fighting, and an additional five minutes for boarding Cousins. Meanwhile, Forsling also received some punishments in the form of a 10-minute for misconduct, five minutes for fighting, and a two-minute instigator penalty.

Jason Zucker handed three-game suspension for boarding Nick Cousins

The events that escalated in the matchup between the Panthers and Coyotes were likely heading for review. The NHL Department of Player Safety, responsible for the safety of players from such hits, has now made its decision. The department on Wednesday handed Jason Zucker a three-game suspension for boarding Nick Cousins.

Jason Zucker and Nick Cousins
Jason Zucker (L) and Nick Cousins (R) [Image via TSN/WLFX)

As per reports from the NHL, Zucker now not only has to sit back for three games but will also have to forfeit $82,812.51 under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Surprisingly there has been no mention of Cousins which has left many NHL fans stunned.

This decision by the Player Safety Department has not gone well again by former referee Tim Peel. The controversial official once again blasted the league for this action and pointed out how Cousins has not been charged with his previous hits. He would later call this decision “awful“.

Is it April Fools! This is a joke that Jason Zucker has been suspended for 3 games!#Yotes Nick Cousins has hit two guys from behind with no repercussions the past 2 weeks! #TimeToHunt Cousins took advantage of an unsuspecting player. Awful by the ⁦@NHLPlayerSafety.
Tim Peel on Jason Zucker’s suspension on X.

This decision is now being debated across social media. Speaking of the game, the Panthers were leading the game 1-0 during the time of this incident. They would later go on to score three more goals and walk out as comfortable 4-1 winners from this game. Their next encounter sees them face off against the Vegas Golden Knights.

In case you missed it: