Ryan Reaves got suspended for hitting someone in the head really hard, so his coach Craig Berube won’t have him playing in the next five games. When the coach was asked about it, he didn’t make any excuses and just told it like it is.

• “It may seem like a lot, but I understand why they are strict about hits to the head. Reavo didn’t intentionally aim for the head, it was just a challenging situation,” explained the coach.

Reaves collided with Edmonton Oilers star Darnell Nurse in their 4-3 overtime win. He received a five-minute major and match penalty for the hit. The NHL’s Department of Player Safety confirmed the decision on Sunday after talking with Reaves. This is Reaves’ fourth suspension in his career, with the third one also being for a hit.

Oilers star Ryan Nugent-Hopkins commented through ESPN: ”

• “It’s a risky move. [Reaves] should realize that Nursey doesn’t see him approaching and make the correct decision, but he doesn’t. It’s hard to watch one of your teammates on the ice like that.”

Reaves will be losing more than $35,000 from his salary and cannot play again until December 4 when they face the Nashville Predators. The NHL gave him a five-game suspension after reviewing the video and talking to Ryan Reaves.

They found that the hit on Darnell Nurse was high and hard, hitting him on the head instead of the body. The NHL said it could have been avoided, which is why they gave such a serious punishment.

• Although we know that Nurse was trying to play the puck, he did not significantly alter the position of his head and body before contact, which caused his head to be the main point of contact.”

Reaves is starting his suspension now and won’t be able to play in the next five games. He has been in and out of the lineup for most of the season, playing around eight minutes on the ice.