Kassian suspended 2 games for incident with Tkachuk

Warning: Story contains coarse language

Edmonton Oilers winger Zack Kassian has been suspended two games for being the aggressor in his recent incident with Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Monday.

Zack Kassian absolutely lost it on @NHLFlames Matthew Tkachuk. ^3 pic.twitter.com/PDzY1xrkm3

- Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 12, 2020

Kassian took exception to a questionable hit from Tkachuk during the second period of Saturday's Battle of Alberta, and had a hearing with the league on Monday as a result.

"Kassian attempts to grab Tkachuk, who is focused on following the puck up the ice for an offensive chance. Kassian grabs him by the collar from behind, takes him down to the ice, and throws a series of forceful punches directed at the head of Tkachuk, who is an unwilling combatant. This is a violation of rule 46.2: 'serving as the aggressor of an altercation,'" the league explained.

Kassian received a double-minor for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct on the play; the war of words following Calgary's win has been the talk of the hockey world since.

Tkachuk advised Kassian to "stay off the tracks" if he doesn't want to be hit like that, while the Oilers winger called Tkachuk a "young punk" and a "pussy" for not engaging in a fight.

The two forwards won't have to wait long to renew hostilities, as Kassian's eligible to return from suspension Jan. 29 versus the Flames.

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