"They're swinging for the fences!" Zac Rinaldo and Josh Archibald make sure the #Avalanche know the #Yotes aren't going to no stuff tonight. pic.twitter.com/nQsbDBsskd
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) December 24, 2017
DENVER -- Arizona Coyotes center Zac Rinaldo has been suspended six games for punching Samuel Girard of the Colorado Avalanche.
Rinaldo was expected to take part in a phone hearing Wednesday with the NHL after waiving his right to have an in-person hearing. The league's player safety department announced his suspension with a tweet about an hour before the Coyotes' second game in four days against the Avalanche.
During the second period of Arizona's 6-2 loss to Colorado on Saturday, Rinaldo, who was playing with a broken nose, delivered an aggressive check on Nathan MacKinnon in the neutral zone. With MacKinnon hunched over after the hit, Girard confronted Rinaldo before the Arizona center punched the rookie in the face.
This is the fifth suspension of Rinaldo's career. He was banned eight games for boarding Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang in 2015 and five games for an illegal hit on Tampa Bay forward Cedric Paquette last season.
Some interesting thoughts and comments from @BizNasty2point0 on the @RinaldoZac fight and what could lie ahead for Rinaldo. pic.twitter.com/zU9jxBB3EI
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) December 24, 2017
