Flames’ Andrew Mangiapane suspended 1 game for cross-checking Jared McCann’s head into ice

Calgary Flames

forward

Andrew Mangiapane

was suspended one game for cross-checking Seattle Kraken forward

Jared McCann

during Saturday’s contest, the NHL’s department of player safety

announced on Sunday.

In the first period, McCann sprawled out to block a Mangiapane backhand attempt, which almost certainly would’ve been a goal were it not for his shot block. Mangiapane seemingly took offense and while McCann was laying down on the ice, Mangiapane cross-checked him twice. The first was a shot to the leg, and the second blow pushed McCann’s face directly into the ice.

Here is the play in question. Mangiapane was ejected and received a match penalty for intent to injure, providing the Kraken with a five-minute power play.

McCann left the game and headed down the tunnel

into the locker room
. He returned to the Kraken bench before the end of the first period and appears to have avoided a significant injury on the play.

The suspension is the first of Mangiapane’s career.

It’s an inexplicable decision by Mangiapane; there’s no justification for his attack on McCann. An undersized forward for NHL standards, Mangiapane is primarily known for scoring in bunches and providing secondary offense for a Flames team that is sorely in need of some extra scoring. The 27-year-old had four goals and seven points entering play on Saturday.

McCann is off to a terrific start offensively, notching six goals and nine points in 11 games. He’s coming off a career-best season in which he recorded 40 goals and 70 points.