Stars' Jamie Benn Suspended 2 Games for Cross-Checking Golden Knights' Mark Stone

Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn has been suspended two games for cross-checking Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Wednesday.

Benn was ejected and given a five-minute major penalty about two minutes into the first period of Game 3 after cross-checking Stone in the head.

"It is important to note that Benn is in control of this play at all times and makes the decision to deliver a forceful cross-check to a prone player," the NHL Department of Player Safety said in a video explaining the suspension. "This is simply an unnecessarily dangerous decision by Benn and it is delivered with sufficient intent and force to merit supplemental discipline."

Benn told reporters Wednesday that the hit happened in the "heat of the moment."

"I need to be more responsible with my body and my stick," Benn said. "My first shift of a game on home ice when you're pretty jacked up and down 1-0, so you want to try to get your team going. Emotions are high and, you know, it was just an unfortunate play."

Stone told reporters: "It didn't feel good. I think I was more a little bit surprised. It was early in the game; it was my first shift of the game. I didn't expect to get stomped on like that. But I could hear the ref making sure I was all right and I felt OK to get up. The refs made sure the right call was made."

Stars head coach Peter DeBoer acknowledged after the game that Benn "made a mistake" and he "feels really badly about it."

The Stars, down 3-0 to the Golden Knights, will now be without Benn for a potential elimination Game 4 on Thursday at American Airlines Center. If Dallas forces a Game 5, the captain will also miss that matchup.

Luke Glendening or Fredrik Olofsson figures to slot into the Dallas lineup for Game 4.

If the Stars are swept out of the Western Conference Finals, Benn will serve the second game of his suspension to open the 2023-24 campaign.