Flames' Andrew Mangiapane suspended 1 game for cross-checking Jared McCann's head into ice

Calgary Flames forward Andrew Mangiapane was suspended one game for cross-checking Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann during Saturday's contest, the NHL's department of player safety announced on Sunday.

In the first period, McCann sprawled out to block a Mangiapane backhand attempt, which almost certainly would’ve been a goal were it not for his shot block. Mangiapane seemingly took offense and while McCann was laying down on the ice, Mangiapane cross-checked him twice. The first was a shot to the leg, and the second blow pushed McCann’s face directly into the ice.

Here is the play in question. Mangiapane was ejected and received a match penalty for intent to injure, providing the Kraken with a five-minute power play.

McCann left the game and headed down the tunnel into the locker room. He returned to the Kraken bench before the end of the first period and appears to have avoided a significant injury on the play.

The suspension is the first of Mangiapane's career.

It’s an inexplicable decision by Mangiapane; there’s no justification for his attack on McCann. An undersized forward for NHL standards, Mangiapane is primarily known for scoring in bunches and providing secondary offense for a Flames team that is sorely in need of some extra scoring. The 27-year-old had four goals and seven points entering play on Saturday.

McCann is off to a terrific start offensively, notching six goals and nine points in 11 games. He's coming off a career-best season in which he recorded 40 goals and 70 points.