Sharks' Joachim Blichfeld suspended for head shot on Nathan MacKinnon

San Jose Sharks forward Joachim Blichfeld was suspended two games by the NHL's Department of Player Safety for an illegal check to the head on Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon.

Blichfeld was assessed a match penalty and was ejected from Wednesday's game in the third period.

MacKinnon was taken to the locker room and did not return. Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar appeared to be optimistic about his status after the game.

“I didn’t love the hit,” Bednar told reporters. “Nate turns up the ice. The guy’s coming from quite a distance and catches him high, so obviously I didn’t like that. I saw him coming off the ice. He was in the hallway. He seems to be doing good. I think we get lucky on it.”

Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog echoed his coach's sentiment.

“Nate seems like he’s doing OK,” Landeskog said. “It’s a good sign, but I’m sure he’s going to be evaluated further. We’ll let the trainers take care of that.”

It's difficult to determine intent, but it's certainly a dirty hit from Blichfeld, who lands his shoulder squarely to MacKinnon's head.

Despite MacKinnon's absence, the Avalanche held on for a 4-0 win. MacKinnon has five goals and 22 points in 19 games this season.

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