Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig has been suspended for two regular-season games by the NHL after rouging Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker in Game 4 of the first round of the playoffs last month. The incident occurred at around 9:50 in the second period the game, in which the Senators lost 4-2 and were eliminated from playoff contention after four straight losses in the best-of-seven series. Greig threw an overhead punch at Walker before delivering a “forceful gloved punch to the face” during an altercation in the neutral zone between the two teams, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety said in a video explaining the decision. “This is roughing,” the league said. “It is important to note that this is not a situation in which two players are squaring off in a neutral confrontation, only for the confrontation to escalate rapidly. In this situation, Walker is fully engaged with a Senators player when Greig knowingly approaches them and elects to throw two sucker-punches towards the defenseless Walker with sufficient force to merit supplemental discipline.” Later in that period, Walker was given a boarding penalty after hitting Greig from behind. Greig will not be paid during the suspension, which will take effect when the regular season returns in October. The 22-year-old forward signed a four-year, $13 million contract extension with the Senators last year.
