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NHL
Alexei Emelin

Canucks' Alex Burrows suspended for late hit on Alexei Emelin

Mike Brehm
USA TODAY Sports
Vancouver Canucks left wing Alex Burrows has six points this seasons.

Vancouver Canucks forward Alex Burrows was suspended for three games for a late hit that temporarily knocked Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexei Emelin out of Thursday's game.

Burrows was penalized for two infractions: interference and an illegal hit to the head.

The Department of Player Safety's Patrick Burke said that the hit took place nearly a full second after Emelin had passed the puck.

"This hit is so late that it cannot be made at all," he said.

Burke also said the defenseman's movement didn't contribute to Burrows making contact with his head.

"As Emelin is straightening up, Burrows matches his movement by lifting his left leg and lunging upward," Burke said.

No penalty was called at the time and the Canucks scored while Emelin was on the ice. He missed the rest of the second period but returned for the third period of the 3-2 Vancouver win.

The suspension was the first of Burrows' career, but he has been fined four times previously. He will forfeit $72,580.65 in pay.

Disciplinarian Stephane Quintal's has held three hearings this week. There had been no suspensions during the preseason or early part of the season.

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