Toronto Maple Leafs forward Bobby McMann has been suspended one game for high-sticking, the NHL announced Tuesday evening. McMann received a match penalty for the play, which automatically led to the league looking into it.
The penalty occurred when he and Oliver Bjorkstrand were having a pushing match. McMann did a high crosscheck and countered with a high stick to Bjorkstrand’s head and neck area. The whole altercation started when Tampa Bay Lightning forward Gage Goncalve threw a knee-to-knee hit on Maple Leafs defenseman Dakota Mermis.
McMann suspended for one game
Now that the verdict has been announced, McMann will have to strike on Thursday night against the San Jose Sharks. That’s not ideal considering he and his linemates, Nicolas Roy and Dakota Joshua, have played a big role in the Maple Leafs’ turnaround season. But now Toronto will have to give that spot to someone else for the game.
McMann has eight goals and six assists for 14 points in 29 games. He was one of three other Maple Leafs players to appear in every game this season.
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This could be another opportunity for forward Nicolas Robertson to fit into the lineup and see if he can make an impact. He was quite good in games he played after being scratched.
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