"Victim of circumstance": Kevin Bieksa makes his feelings known about Quinn Hughes' controversial ejection

During a Sportsnet broadcast, Kevin Bieksa shared his thoughts on Quinn Hughes’ ejection. Hughes received a five-minute major penalty for boarding Ottawa Senators forward Josh Norris at Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday. The hit sent Norris face-first into the boards and officials ejected Hughes after reviewing the play.

While talking to Jennifer Botterill and other analysts, Bieksa noted that Hughes has no history of malicious play and is not known for such incidents.

"Part of me thought, are they taking into consideration that it's Quinn Hughes?" Bieksa said on Saturday. "Guy doesn't have a history, not a malicious player, but obviously that didn't factor in here. Defenseman, we're vulnerable to this. We're vulnerable to a forward along the wall doing a cut back, and the onus has got to be on the D.

"You see where he pushes on Norris, he pushes just above the pants."

Bieksa explained that defensemen are taught to push below the top of their pants to avoid dangerous impacts. However, despite Hughes’ clean record, Bieksa agreed it was the correct call.

"He's a victim of circumstance," Bieksa said. "There's obviously no intent, but it probably is the right call."

Luke Gazdic added that Norris’ quick cutback also contributed to the situation, calling it an unlucky moment.

"I think there is a bit of onus on the forward as well with the cutback," Gazdic said. "If he's not injured, we're not even talking about that. This is a play that happens 15 or 20 times in a game, and I think it's just a little bit of bad luck there."

Hughes was ejected early in the game. Norris returned to play during the power play despite the injury.

Despite Quinn Hughes' ejection Canucks defeated the Senators

The Vancouver Canucks beat the Ottawa Senators 4-3 on the road on Saturday, ending a two-game losing streak. Jake DeBrusk scored two goals and had an assist, while Kiefer Sherwood had one goal and one assist. Kevin Lankinen made 26 saves for Vancouver.

DeBrusk scored the first goal at 18:36 of the first period. Brady Tkachuk tied it 1-1 for Ottawa at 3:41 of the second period. Teddy Blueger then put Vancouver ahead 2-1 at 9:23.

DeBrusk made it 3-1 at 13:01 with a backhand goal before Sherwood extended the lead to 4-1 at 8:41 of the third period. Ottawa scored twice late, with Claude Giroux and Tim Stutzle finding the net, but the Canucks held on for the win despite their captain Quinn Hughes' ejection.