Canucks’ Tyler Myers suspended for cross-checking Oilers’ Evan Bouchard

On Monday, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced it has suspended Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers for three games for cross-checking Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard.

Throughout his more-than-15-year career in the NHL, including the last five-plus seasons with the Canucks, Myers has been suspended twice and fined two other times. In March 2012, during his tenure with the Buffalo Sabres, Myers was suspended three games for boarding forward Scott Gomez, then with the Montreal Canadiens. In Jan. 2014, Myers received another three-game band of a high hit on Dainius Zubrus of the New Jersey Devils.

The only instance where Myers was handed supplemental discipline while as a member of the Canucks came in January of last season when he was fined $5,000 for elbowing Columbus Blue Jackets forward Sean Kuraly.

The incident occurred during the game on Saturday night between the two western Canadian rivals. It started when Oilers captain Connor McDavid and opposing forward Conor Garland started wrestling while Edmonton was searching for the tying goal in the final minute of play. It led to McDavid cross-checking Garland up high, which escalated the fray into a melee.

Off to the side of the main scrum, Myers and Bouchard started going at it with their sticks, leading to Myers cross-checking Bouchard up high.

Myers received a match penalty for the act, with the two combatants receiving minor penalties for slashing as well. In all, 52 penalty minutes were handed out due to the incident.

The 34-year-old is eligible to return to the lineup next Monday when Vancouver visits the St. Louis Blues.

Through 45 games this season, Myers has two goals and 13 points, with 54 minutes in penalties after Saturday night’s game.

The Canucks (20-15-10) are off until Tuesday when they host the Sabres, with a rematch against Edmonton this coming Thursday.