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Following his ejection<\/a> in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final after brutally cross-checking Vegas Golden Knights’ Mark Stone<\/a> in a 4-0 loss, Dallas Stars<\/a> captain Jamie Benn addressed the nasty incident that ultimately led to a suspension from the NHL on Wednesday.\u00a0 <\/p>\n “Obviously, I didn’t want to take a five-minute penalty,” Benn said via Sportsnet<\/a>. “The game happens fast, emotions are high. Obviously, I would have liked to not fall on him and use my stick as a landing point.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Benn’s explanation of Tuesday’s borderline assault on Stone is interesting, considering replays show him “land” on the Vegas forward in a cross-checking motion after knocking him to the ice.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The NHL didn’t buy Benn’s side of the story, handing him a two-game suspension a day before what could be the Stars’ final game of the 2022-23 campaign.\u00a0<\/p>\n “It’s important to note that Benn is in control of this play at all times and makes the decision to deliver a forcefully cross-check to a prone player,” the explanation from the NHL Department of Player Safety<\/a> said. “This is simply an unnecessarily dangerous decision by Benn, and it is delivered with sufficient intent and force to warrant supplemental discipline.”<\/p>\n Benn is out for Game 4 and a potential Game 5 but will serve the remaining game of his suspension at the start of the 2023-24 regular season if Vegas completes the sweep of Dallas on Thursday.\u00a0<\/p>\n Assessed a cross-checking major and a game misconduct 1:53 into the first period of Game 3, Benn put his Stars, already down 1-0, in a precarious position, which only got worse. Ivan Barbashev scored on the ensuing Golden Knights’ powerplay, shifting momentum before another first-period goal from Will Carrier gave Vegas a commanding 3-0 lead after only 20 minutes of play.\u00a0<\/p>\n Benn blamed his costly actions on the high emotion of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, after costing his team a chance to get back in the series in Game 3, he’s likely ended their season too, as they must go on without him facing an all but impossible 3-0 hill to climb.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n