Devils’ Timo Meier gets game misconduct for kneeing Hurricanes’ Martin Necas

During a game on Saturday night, New Jersey Devils forward Timo Meier was given a five-minute major and a match penalty for kneeing Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas.

Just past the six-minute mark of the third period, Necas was rushing the puck through the neutral zone when Meier stepped up to throw a hit. Meier ended up making contact with Necas’ left knee. Officials reviewed the hit, eventually confirming the major penalty, sending Meier to the showers.

Necas hobbled off the ice after struggling to get off the ice. However, he was able to return to the game after briefly heading to the locker room. The Hurricanes converted on the power play, with Jackson Blake scoring his eighth goal of the season to give Carolina the lead.

This is not the first time Meier has been given the gate for his actions. Back on Nov. 25, in a game against the Nashville Predators, the 28-year-old was handed a game misconduct for cross-checking opposing forward Zachary L’Heureux. Meier was later handed a one-game suspension for the act, the first time in his nine-year NHL career. He previously had been fined twice by the NHL.

Saturday night was Meier’s 38th game of the season, having only missed one game due to the suspension. The Swiss native has scored 13 goals and 14 assists for 27 points, registering a plus/minus of +11 while averaging around 17 minutes of ice time per game.

In 36 appearances this season, Necas has scored 14 goals and 30 assists for 44 points.