The AHL announced today that Lehigh Valley Phantoms forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel has been suspended three games as the result of an illegal check to the head. Aube-Kubel has already been suspended twice this season, and while there was a bit of a dispute regarding his second suspension, the decision to suspend him for this hit should be met with little scrutiny.
Aube-Kubel’s hit on Didier. pic.twitter.com/boroDJH4l8
— Broad Street Hockey (@BroadStHockey) May 5, 2018
When you break it down frame by frame it does look like Aube-Kubel’s left skate remains on the ice until after contact is made, but he does drive his shoulder directly into Josiah Didier’s head. Didier appeared to be knocked unconscious for a bit and had to be helped off the ice.
Aube-Kubel will miss Games 3, 4 and 5 of the Phantoms’ second round series against the Charlotte Checkers.
