Lucic suspended 1 game for 'reckless' head blow

Last Updated: Sunday, April 19, 2009 | 7:32 PM ET

CBC Sports

Boston Bruins' Milan Lucic is led off the ice by a linesman after receiving a game misconduct during the third period of their 5-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens in game 2 in Boston Saturday night. (Winslow Townson/Associated Press)

Forward Milan Lucic of the Boston Bruins has been suspended for one game for delivering a "reckless" check late in his team's lopsided 5-1 win Saturday over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 2 of their Stanley Cup playoff series.

Lucic appeared to cross-check Habs forward Maxim Lapierre in the face, late in the third period in Boston.

Lucic was given a match penalty for the play.

After the game, Bruins head coach Claude Julien was adamant that there should be no suspension, since he believed Lucic hit Lapierre with his glove, not his stick.

According to the NHL, it doesn't matter.

"It is unclear whether Lucic's glove or stick makes contact with Lapierre," NHL senior vice-president Colin Campbell said. "[But] what is clear is that he delivered a reckless and forceful blow to the head of his opponent."

Late-game fights called 'stupid hockey'

Campbell told Hockey Night in Canada he has a problem with players and teams trying to send a message at the end of games.

"I like tough hockey, but it crosses the line. [When it happens] at the end of the game, that's bullying," Campbell said.

Campbell called the scrums and melees that have ensued at the end of many games so far in the playoffs "stupid hockey."

"I don't mind fights ... but I haven't seen a good fight in the last five minutes of the game."

Lucic will serve his suspension by sitting out Game 3 of the Bruins-Canadiens series in Montreal on Monday night. The Bruins lead the series 2-0.

He's the second player to be suspended so far in this year's playoffs. Daniel Carcillo of the Philadelphia Flyers was suspended for one game after a head-shot to the Penguins' Maxime Talbot at the end of Game 1.