Toronto Maple Leafs forward Bobby McMann has been suspended one game for high-sticking Tampa Bay Lightning forward Oliver Bjorkstrand.
The incident took place 3:00 into the third period of Monday’s game in Toronto. Moments earlier, Tampa Bay’s Gage Goncalves was ejected for kneeing Leafs defenseman Dakota Mermis. Players from both teams came together at center ice, with the Lightning’s Max Crozier dropping the gloves with Toronto’s Dakota Joshua.
Bjorkstrand shoved McMann, who retaliated by leveling the lumber from up high.
Referees Graham Skilliter and Francois St. Laurent issued McMann a match penalty for high-sticking under Rule 60.4:
When, in the opinion of the Referee, a player attempts to or deliberately injures an opponent with a high-stick, the Referee shall assess a match penalty to the offending player.
Here’s the complete ruling from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety:
McMann lifts his stick over his head to move it away from an approaching linesperson. After being shoved by Bjorkstrand, McMann brings the raised stick downwards towards Bjorkstrand from a dangerous height, striking him in the head with sufficient force to merit supplemental discipline. This is high sticking.
It is important to note that this is not the typical motion of a player merely bringing a raised stick down to the ice and accidentally making contact with an opponent. This is also not a situation where a player simply loses control of his stick or where an off-balance player is careless in an attempt to steady himself. McMann is in full control of both his stick and his own body at all times during this play and simply must display more control to ensure his stick does not directly strike his opponent’s head in this situation.
McMann has not previously been fined or suspended. He forfeits $7,031.25 in salary as a result of his suspension.
