Chris VandeVelde suspended two games for elbowing Toews

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The decision regarding who comes out of the lineup if Jake Voracek does indeed return Saturday vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins (see story) just got a bit easier for Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol.

Forward Chris VandeVelde has been suspended two games by the NHL for elbowing Blackhawks star Jonathan Toews during the first period of Wednesday night’s 3-2 victory in Chicago.

VandeVelde will forfeit $7,661.29 in salary during the suspension.

On the play, Toews cleared the puck out of his defensive zone when VandeVelde came in for a check. While finishing his check, VandeVelde got his elbow into Toews’ head, which then hit the boards. A two-minute minor penalty was called on the play.

“At first, I didn’t really know what was wrong and I know our bench was kinda mad the penalty was called,” VandeVelde said earlier Friday. “But then you slow it down and look at the video and the Chicago team was freaking out.”

Toews and VandeVelde played together at the University of North Dakota under Hakstol and are still friends to this day. They were even linemates for a period of time in college.

VandeVelde said Toews reached out to him after the game to let him know he knew the elbow wasn’t intentional.

“We talked about the hit and he wasn’t mad,” VandeVelde said of Toews. “He was the first one to say I’m an honest player and not dirty. He even sent a text message and told me don’t worry about it. Everything will be ok.”

This is the first career suspension for VandeVelde, who has just one major penalty (a fight) this season. The 29 year old has two goals and 13 assists this year while playing mostly on the fourth line and penalty kill.

He’ll be eligible to return to the Flyers’ lineup Tuesday in Columbus.

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