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
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Some customers steaming after McDonald's ends free hot drink sticker program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Biden scores endorsements from Kennedy family, looking to shore up support against Trump and RFK Jr.
U.S. President Joe Biden will accept endorsements from at least 15 members of the Kennedy political family during a campaign stop in Philadelphia on Thursday as he aims to undermine Donald Trump and marginalize the candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Party's over: Coyotes play final game as Arizona franchise before move to Salt Lake City
Mullett Arena buzzed like few times in the two years since the Arizona Coyotes moved in, the fans amped for one last desert hurrah.