Los Angeles Kings’ Jacob Doty suspended two games for interference on San Jose Sharks’ Jeffrey Viel

Los Angeles Kings winger Jacob Doty has been suspended for two games for interference on San Jose Sharks winger Jeffrey Viel.

The incident occurred just over the halfway point of the second period, as Doty stood up Viel in the neutral zone after it appeared he would be receiving a pass. However, Viel did not, and with no puck on his stick, Doty continued to go for the hit, receiving a five minute major penalty and a game misconduct as a result. The Sharks would score on the ensuing powerplay with a goal from Evgeny Svechnikov to make it 2-0 on their way to a 3-1 win over the Kings. Doty also made two hits that knocked out glass panes along the boards in the game, so it was a physical night for the player.

Doty is an undrafted 29 year old forward known more for his physicality than his scoring prowess. He spent parts of five seasons in the WHL with the Seattle Thunderbirds and Medicine Hat Tigers, with 27 goals, 38 assists, 65 points, and 467 penalty minutes in 270 games. Afterwards, he has spent seven seasons in the AHL with the St. Louis Blues and Kings organizations, with eight goals, 12 assists, 20 points, and 388 penalty minutes in 142 games, as well some stints during those seasons in the ECHL and a two year stretch from 2017-2019 in the EIHL. He has no points in two preseason games this year.

Viel has had a slightly more successful hockey career at this point. Also undrafted, the 25 year old spent parts of five seasons in the QMJHL with the Sherbrooke Phoenix and the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, with 115 goals, 81 assists, and 196 points in 259 games. He then joined the Sharks organization, and has spent the past four seasons between the AHL and NHL, with 30 goals, 32 assists, and 62 points in 152 AHL games, and three goals, two assists, and five points in 45 NHL games. He has no points in two preseason games this year.