SUNRISE, Fla. -- Florida Panthers forward Eetu Luostarinen was ejected from his club's 6-2 win in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday night, after a boarding major against forward Jackson Blake of the Carolina Hurricanes.
With 3:01 left in the first period, Blake was chasing the puck back in his own zone with Luostarinen behind him. As Luostarinen reached out with his stick, Blake stopped short of the boards and Luostarinen hit through him. Luostarinen drove Blake's head into the boards, bloodying the Carolina forward.
The on-ice officials gave Luostarinen a five-minute major and then reviewed the hit. They confirmed the call on the ice. Per NHL Rule 41.5, when a major penalty for boarding is called, a game misconduct is automatic. A major penalty for boarding is determined by "the degree of violence of the impact with the boards."
Luostarinen was tied for the team lead with 13 points entering Game 3, with 4 goals and 9 assists. He scored 12 of those points on the road. Blake returned to action in the second period.
Minus Luostarinen, the Panthers scored five goals in the third period, cruising to a win that gave them a 3-0 series lead. Game 4 is Monday.
