NWHL Suspends Buffalo Beauts Forward Kelley Steadman for Boarding NY Riveters Defenseman Kiira Dosdall

Kiira Dosdall of the New York Riveters (BRUCE BENNETT/GETTY IMAGES)

The National Women’s Hockey League on Thursday handed down a one game suspension to Buffalo Beauts forward, Kelley Steadman for an illegal hit placed on New York Riveters defenseman, Kiira Dosdall.

The hit occurred in the Beauts home matchup against the Riveters this past Sunday, which resulted in an injury to Dosdall. The NWHL Department of Player Safety held their first hearing of the season on Wednesday night as they attempted to determine if the further discipline was necessary.

Prior to the hit, Dosdall attempted a pass off the boards and was in a vulnerable position when Steadman, playing without a stick, tried to stop Dosdall in front of the Beauts’ bench. Steadman checked Dosdall with her shoulder, but followed through by extending her arms into the unsuspecting player, resulting in Dosdall been tossed into the boards.

The NWHL rulebook, states that boarding is the act of a player that checks, elbows, charges or trips an opponent in a way that causes them to be thrown violently into the boards. A two-minute minor penalty will be assessed. If it is determined a player recklessly endangers an opponent in doing so, a major penalty and game misconduct or match penalty shall be assessed.

A minor penalty was assessed on the play, but the Department of Player Safety determined that further punishment was necessary. As this was the first hearing in Steadman’s career, a one game suspension was assessed.