After getting called in for a hearing with the National Hockey League’ Player Safety, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Pierre Engvall has been suspended for one game for High-sticking Los Angeles’ Sean Durzi.
During his Maple Leafs’ 5-0 shutout win over the Kings, Engvall seemed to intentionally whack Durzi in the back of the head in the third period. He was assessed a five-minute major penalty for his intentional high stick and was tossed for the remainder of the contest. Durzi appeared uninjured and stayed in the game.
Engvall also scored a power-play goal before receiving the penalty and subsequently was tossed from the game.
After the game, head coach Sheldon Keefe came to his player’s defence, but will have to play Saturday's contest against the visiting Calgary Flames without Engvall.
“You’ve all watched Pierre [Engvall] play for long enough now to know he doesn’t play with an intent to injure.”
The suspension comes as Engvall is on a roll. In 27 games this season, he has four goals and seven points — including two goals in Toronto's last four games.
