Bryan Rust Faces Disciplinary Hearing
Bryan Rust, a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins, is set to face a disciplinary hearing following a head hit delivered to Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks during their game on Sunday. The incident took place in the dying moments of the third period, where Rust’s elbow made direct contact with Boeser’s head. Despite managing to return to the bench unaided, Boeser appeared to struggle with his balance and required assistance from a trainer post-hit.
Concerns Over the Hit
The nature of the hit has raised significant concerns, as it was deemed dangerous due to Rust’s intentional elbow placement. Penguins’ head coach, Adam Foote, offered no immediate updates post-game but expressed his disapproval of the maneuver, describing it as “not pretty” and categorizing it as a headshot. Foote emphasized the necessity for players to maintain control of their bodies during play, especially in heated moments like scrums.
“It was a little bit of a vicious hit to the head,”
he noted during his media interaction following the game.
Teammates’ Reactions
Adding to the sentiment, several of Boeser’s teammates voiced their frustrations regarding the hit. Jake DeBrusk condemned it as “a pretty dirty play,” while Teddy Blueger acknowledged Rust’s overall character, stating,
“I don’t think Rusty is a dirty player, but I think it was pretty clear head contact.”
Notably, Rust did not face any penalty at the moment of the incident.
Boeser’s Condition and Season Performance
Following their loss to Pittsburgh, the Canucks took a day off on Monday. Updates on Boeser’s condition are expected after the team’s morning skate on Tuesday. This season, Boeser has been a vital contributor for Vancouver, participating in 50 matches, with 12 goals and a total of 25 points to his name.
