SAN JOSE — Sharks forward Tomas Hertl’s break for the NHL All-Star Game might be starting a bit early.
Hertl was given a five-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct in the first period of Tuesday’s game against Winnipeg for a questionable hit from behind on Jets defenseman Dmitry Kulikov.
Kulikov was going back into his zone to the left of Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck to retrieve the puck when Hertl came in and hit Kulikov from behind face-first into the glass. A bloodied Kulikov had to be helped off the ice by a Jets trainer as Hertl and Winnipeg defenseman Jacob Trouba wrestled each other to the ice.
Tomas Hertl has been kicked out of the game after this hit on Dmitry Kulikov. pic.twitter.com/iJHwEsWPG9
— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) January 24, 2018
The Sharks trailed the Jets 2-0 at the time of the penalty, 8:13 into the first period. Bryan Little scored on the ensuing Winnipeg power play to give the Jets a 3-0 lead.
Sharks captain Joe Pavelski got one goal back with 46 seconds to go in the first period, as San Jose entered the intermission down 3-1.
Hertl, 24, has 20 penalty minutes this season but has never been given supplemental discipline from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety.
Defenseman Brenden Dillon is the only Sharks player to be suspended so far this season. Dillon was given one game for slashing Madison Bowey of the Washington Capitals in December.
The Sharks host the New York Rangers on Thursday before the NHL breaks for its all-star weekend, Friday to Sunday, in Tampa, Florida.
