Aaron Rome's Stanley Cup Finals are over.
Interim league disciplinarian Mike Murphy suspended the Vancouver Canucks' defenseman four games for his late hit on Nathan Horton in the first period of Game 3 Monday.
Horton completed a pass and attempted to enter the Canucks offensive zone. Rome stopped along his blueline and hit him late, making contact with his head. Horton went to the ice and laid motionless for several minutes before leaving the arena on a stretcher.
Rome received a five-minute major penalty for interference and a game misconduct.
Murphy explained his decision to The Sporting News.
"Two factors were considered in reaching this decision," said NHL senior vice president of hockey operations Mike Murphy in a statement. "The hit by Rome was clearly beyond what is acceptable in terms of how late it was delivered after Horton had released the puck and it caused a significant injury."
Boston announced today that Horton will miss the remainder of the Stanley Cup Finals.