Leafs forward Jason Spezza suspended for six games for kneeing Jets defenceman Pionk
The NHL has suspended Toronto Maple Leafs forward Jason Spezza six games for kneeing Winnipeg Jets defenceman Neal Pionk during a game Sunday.
Spezza hit Pionk in the head with his knee during Toronto's chaotic 6-3 loss in Winnipeg during the third period as the Jets defenceman attempted to clear the puck away with his hand.
Spezza was not assessed a penalty on the play and the Jets say Pionk was placed in concussion protocol after the hit.
Spezza had an in-person hearing with the league Tuesday and in their video explaining the suspension the NHL's department of player safety called the hit "reckless and retaliatory."
Spezza will forfeit US$22,500 in salary.
Pionk received a two-game suspension on Monday for a knee-on-knee hit with Maple Leafs defenceman Rasmus Sandin.
No penalty was called on the play.
Earlier, the Maple Leafs added Sandin and forward Mitch Marner to the injured reserve list and loaned forward Joey Anderson to their AHL affiliate.
The Maple Leafs also recalled forward Alex Steeves and defencemen Alex Biega and Kristi─üns Rub─½ns from the Toronto Marlies.
Marner hasn't played since colliding with teammate Jake Muzzin Friday at practice.
The Maple Leafs did not provide specifics on injury details or expected absence length in their morning Twitter post. Toronto was scheduled to host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 7, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.