Defenseman Quinn Hughes took a major penalty on Senators forward Josh Norris after sending him face-first into the boards with a cross-check of the numbers. Officials reviewed the penalty before ultimately calling it a five-minute major for boarding, automatically ejecting Hughes from the game.

Norris briefly left the ice with a cut to his face, but was able to return before the end of the Senators’ five-minute power play.

According to NHL Rule 41.5a boarding penalty resulting in “injury to the face or head of the opponent” automatically results in a game misconduct.

The incident occurred at 12:29 of the first period and was Hughes’ first career major penalty.

An important part of the Canucks blue line, Hughes is tied for third in defenseman scoring with 19 points in 18 games. He played 5:12 before his expulsion.