Benn to have hearing for cross-checking Stone in head

Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn will have a hearing Wednesday after he cross-checked Mark Stone in the head during Tuesday's contest against the Vegas Golden Knights, the NHL Department of Player Safety confirmed.

Benn was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for the play.

Jamie Benn has been given a 5 minute major for his cross check on Mark Stone. pic.twitter.com/Ck1uCnnCgJ

- Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 24, 2023

Stone stayed in the contest after the hit. The Golden Knights cruised to a 4-0 victory to move within one win of their second Stanley Cup Final appearance since entering the league in 2017.

The play occurred in the opening two minutes, with Dallas already trailing. Vegas scored on the ensuing power play and again afterward to chase goaltender Jake Oettinger.

Benn declined to speak with the media directly after the loss, but he addressed the incident Wednesday.

"Just an unfortunate play," he said, per the Las Vegas Sun's Danny Webster. "I just need to be more responsible with my body and stick. I put my team in a tough situation."

He added: "The game happens fast, emotions are high. Obviously, I would have liked to not fall on him and use my stick as a landing point."

Stone offered his take on the moment.

"I didn't love what transpired, but it got handled the right way," he said Wednesday. "We stuck together as a team, and now our focus is on Game 4."

Benn entered Tuesday's contest with 11 points in 15 playoff games this spring.

Stars head coach Pete DeBoer said postgame his club has no choice but to face the consequences of Benn's actions.

"We lived with them tonight, and we'll live with whatever they are moving forward if there's supplemental discipline," DeBoer said, according to The Athletic's Jesse Granger.

Benn hasn't been suspended in his 14-year career.

Game 4 is scheduled for Thursday in Dallas.

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