BLOG: Caggiula Suspended for Game 2

Blackhawks forward Drake Caggiula has been suspended for Game 2 of the Qualifying Round.

During the second period of Game 1, Caggiula delivered check on Oilers forward Tyler Ennis -- deemed by the NHL Department of Player Safety an illegal check with the head as the principal point of contact in an avoidable situation. Following a hearing on Sunday, Caggiula was issued a one-game suspension.

"Feel bad for 'Jules,'" head coach Jeremy Colliton told reporters shortly after the suspension was announced. "Kind of a bang-bang play. He went hard and he definitely wasn't trying to catch him in the head, but he did."

The 26-year-old finished the 2019-20 season 15 points (9G, 6A) in 40 games this season after a lengthy early-season concussion absence. His skilled, but physical presence on the ice has allowed him to be used across the Blackhawks lineup.

"He provides an element that we don't have a lot of," Colliton added. "A physical, gritty player, likes to go to the net, likes to get in those 50-50 situations and can kind of do different things. He's killed penalties for us. He's played up and down the lineup. Certainly he's a big part of our team. We'll get him back, but for tomorrow it's an opportunity for someone else and that's what playoffs are all about. You find a way to get wins with what you have."