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SUSPENDED: Pietrangelo Gets 1 Game for Slashing Draisaitl

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Alex Pietrangelo suspension, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers

LAS VEGAS — The Vegas Golden will be without defenseman Alex Pietrangelo in Game 5 Friday at T-Mobile Arena. The NHL Player Safety Department issued only a one-game suspension after a hearing with the player Thursday afternoon.

Pietrangelo lost his cool late in the third period of Game 4 as the Golden Knights trailed 4-1 and never mounted much of a challenge at even strength.

Pietrangelo veered off course and slashed Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl several moments after Draisailt released a shot toward the Golden Knights’ empty net.

Draisaitl’s shot missed, but Pietrangelo’s two-handed slash did not. Draisaitl fell to the ice in pain. Referees used video to confirm their call, a five-minute major, and a game misconduct.

“Significantly after the shot is released, and disregarding the continuation of the play, Pietrangelo skates toward Draisaitl, raises his stick with both hands and chops down with force to Draisaitl’s forearm,” the narration of the suspension video said. “This is slashing. It’s important to note stick fouls on a player playing the puck are common and can usually be penalized sufficiently by the on-ice officials. In this case, the puck has been gone for some time before Pietrangelo chooses to ignore the play, raise his stick and deliver a slash to a vulnerable area with sufficient force for supplemental discipline.”

Pietrangelo’s lack of fines and suspensions in his 952-game career played in his favor and was cited by Player Safety. Draisaitl’s lack of injury probably played a role in limiting the suspension to one game, as well.

The series is tied 2-2. Game 5 is Friday at T-Mobile Arena at 7 p.m. Game 6 will be at Rogers Place Sunday. The teams have alternated wins since Game 1, and there have not been any one-goal games in the series.