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Flyers’ Jake Voracek appealing his suspension to NHL czar Gary Bettman

Voracek, general manager Chuck Fletcher and an NHLPA representative will meet with Bettman Tuesday in New York to appeal the right winger's two-game suspension.

Flyers right winger Jake Voracek will meet with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Tuesday to appeal his two-game suspension.
Flyers right winger Jake Voracek will meet with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Tuesday to appeal his two-game suspension.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer

Jake Voracek and the NHL Players Association have filed an appeal against the league for its two-game suspension on the Flyers’ high-scoring right winger.

A hearing between the parties and Gary Bettman, the NHL commissioner, will take place Tuesday.

Even though he is appealing the decision, Voracek had to sit out the first game of his suspension Monday, missing the matchup against Ottawa. He is hoping Bettman reduces the suspension to one game so he can play Thursday against visiting Washington.

It is believed that Voracek will be accompanied by general manager Chuck Fletcher and an NHLPA representative for an in-person hearing in New York. Fletcher declined multiple interview requests.

Flyers interim coach Scott Gordon said he was disappointed by Voracek’s two-game suspension for interference against the Islanders’ Johnny Boychuk on Saturday, and he sharply criticized the NHL’s decision.

Prior to Monday’s game, Gordon said a March 1 hit by the Devils’ Kurtis Gabriel on Nolan Patrick, which drew a one-game suspension for boarding, was “a lot more severe, more intentioned than what Jake was trying to do. I think Jake was trying to protect himself. A guy (Boychuk) is sprinting down the boards and has no intentions of slowing down. (He) sees Jake in front of him and never slows down. Jake isn’t just going to stand there and absorb the hit.”

In its decision, the NHL cited Voracek’s “substantial contact” with Boychuk’s head and the “force of the hit” as reasons for the suspension.

Shortly after the suspension was announced, Voracek tweeted five emojis showing hysterical laughter.

Couturier said “all you want is maybe a little more consistency” in the league’s decisions. “I think everyone wants that. Sometimes, we’re on the good side, sometimes we’re on the bad side.”

Gordon said Voracek is “a lighter man, and he probably received the worst part of the hit.”

Boychuk was injured on the play and was unable to play Monday against visiting Columbus.

Breakaways

Carter Hart served as Brian Elliott’s backup Monday, the first time he had dressed for a game since Feb. 21 in Montreal. “I’m just excited to be back with the boys,” Hart said before the game. The 20-year-old rookie had been sidelined by an ankle injury, and he will start either Thursday against Washington or Friday in Toronto, Gordon said. … On Monday, Michael Raffl played in his 400th game, all with the Flyers. … On March 22, the Flyers’ alumni will hold what it calls “Friday Night Fights: A Celebration of Old-Time Hockey” at 2300 Arena. There will be movies of old fights shown, a dinner, and fans can interact with ex-Flyers like Dave Schultz, Bob Kelly, and Dave Brown, along with some opposing enforcers like Terry O’Reilly. Chris Nilan, and Marty McSorely. For more information, go to 2300arena.com.