Photo Courtesy of Kate Frese
Flyers fourth-liner Chris VandeVelde has been suspended two games for elbowing, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced on Friday.
VandeVelde had tangled with Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews along the half-wall in the Blackhawks' zone with about 40 seconds left in the first period of Wednesday's 3-2 win, when his elbow came up and struck Toews in the head. He was penalized, but the Blackhawks were not able to score on the ensuing penalty.
VandeVelde has no prior history of discipline with the Department of Player Safety, and Toews was not injured on the play — in fact, he scored his 25th goal of the season at 4:58 of the second period. Both players have a familiarity, as teammates at the University of North Dakota (under Dave Hakstol), and reportedly cleared the air with each other amicably after the game.
The suspension comes at an interesting time, as Jakub Voracek is speculated to return to the lineup for Saturday afternoon's game against Pittsburgh. He will forfeit $7,661.30 in salary, payable to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund, and will be eligible to return to the lineup on Tuesday in Columbus.
Through 69 games this season, VandeVelde has two goals and 13 points. He's been a steady presence alongside Ryan White and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare on the Flyers' fourth line.
Rob Riches is a contributor to Flyerdelphia and Sports Talk Philly. Follow him on Twitter @Riches61
