Minnesota Frost’s Maggie Flaherty suspended two games for hit on Boston Fleet’s Alina Muller
The PWHL announced Friday that Minnesota Frost defender Maggie Flaherty has been suspended two games for an illegal check to the head on Boston Fleet forward Alina Muller.
The PWHL announced that, after a league-initiated review with the PWHL Player Safety Committee, @PWHL_Minnesota defender Maggie Flaherty has been suspended for two games.
📰 https://t.co/oMuRUVQaWu pic.twitter.com/wuHMSagrjF
— PWHL (@thepwhlofficial) December 6, 2024
The incident occurred near the end of the second period in Wednesday’s game between the two teams. Flaherty was given a minor penalty for an illegal check to the head after an automatic review by officials.
Going back to the 2nd period for a moment, here’s a look at the hit on Müller courtesy of @mayaxeverysport. Regardless of intent, I don’t see how this got downgraded to a minor. Flaherty catches nothing but head. You have to punish dangerous hits properly to eliminate them. pic.twitter.com/4ln4L2BmEc
— Lydia Murray (@lydia_murray12) December 5, 2024
The following day, Fleet head coach Courtney Kessel told The Ice Garden reporter Melissa Burgess the team was told it was downgraded to a minor because Muller’s own stick hit her head.
Boston Fleet HC Courtney Kessel said they were told it was downgraded to a minor because Müller's own stick hit her head.
This play is a mess. Starts with Müller's stick coming up high on Flaherty, then Flaherty's elbow coming up, which brings Müller's stick up for head contact. https://t.co/xfBHU7OB0r
— Melissa Burgess (@_MelissaBurgess) December 5, 2024
Since then, the PWHL’s Player Safety Committee deemed the action “unsafe and dangerous,” according to a press release.
“Flaherty applied opposite directional force, extended her elbow high with no intention to play the puck, and made contact with the head of an opponent where such contact was avoidable,” the league said in a statement. “This is in violation of PWHL Rule 48.”
Minnesota won the game 2-1. The Frost are 1-0-1 through their first two games, while the Fleet are 0-2-0 through their first two.