Maple Leafs' Clifford suspended one game for hit on Lightning's Ross Colton

[Leafsfan74]

It is what it is. Considering he was tossed from the game it is in essence a two game suspension.

It was a bone headed play in the heat of the moment that ultimately had the unintended consequence of giving the Leafs the much needed momentum,

He brings elements to this team take make his valuable on the 4th line. Hopefully Keefe puts him right back in for game 3 in T.B

Listen to the crowds response after his first hit last night and then the effort of his teammates to kill off the five minute penalty to ensure any loss wouldn't be hung on him. They appreciate what he brings to the team.

Maple Leafs' Clifford suspended one game for hit on Lightning's Ross Colton

The NHL department of player safety handed Toronto Maple Leafs forward Kyle Clifford a one-game suspension for boarding Tampa Bay Lightning centre Ross Colton in Game 1.

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[jaric1862]

Shouldn’t have been a suspension, considering he was tossed from the game.

Put him back in the lineup for game 3, keep Tampa on their toes.

 

[Statsman1]

It’s hard to argue - Colton did not have the puck and Clifford crushed him from behind. Maybe it established something for the Leafs - they sure brought the heat from that point - and hopefully it carries into tomorrow’s game. The crowd also had a lot to do with the emotion, without question.

I thought it was also encouraging that everyone showed up for the little skirmish at the end of the game, so not having Clifford in the lineup likely won‘t reduce the Leafs’ toughness or ability to grind it out in game 2.

 

[Stephen]

It is what it is but I don’t think the Leafs skip a beat with Spezza and Bunting waiting on the wings.

 

[PeE eL DuBoiS]

It is what it is but I don’t think the Leafs skip a beat with Spezza and Bunting waiting on the wings.

Agree.

 

[Bellefour20]

Should've cross-checked with intent to injure, pay the fine, and be an option for game 2. Shoulda, coulda, woulda...DoPS, what ya gonna do?

 

[McSnypsky]

It was bad penalty and would seen differently if we didn't win, but guys like Colton and Cirelli are gonna be seeing shadows for a few games so it might be worth it.

 

[Leafsfan74]

It is what it is but I don’t think the Leafs skip a beat with Spezza and Bunting waiting on the wings.

I'm guessing Bunting comes back and Engvall or someone drops to the 4th.

What happens for game 3? If Keefe believes in the 4th lines impact and importance as I do, who comes out for Clifford?

Spezza needs be a good soldier and appreciate the balance/elements that this teams requires in the lineup. A sign of a deep team is having competent NHLers waiting their turn.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Should've cross-checked with intent to injure, pay the fine, and be an option for game 2. Shoulda, coulda, woulda...DoPS, what ya gonna do?

The last 43 that cross checked got suspended an entire series.

Assume if they can suspend a Leaf, Parros will.

Definitely sour grapes over the Orr thing.

 

[therealkoho]

2 games is pretty stiff(1 game and 53 mins actually)but at least they don't have have a short bench the next game, hopefully Bunts is back and can suck a couple of the Bolts into the box.

 

[rojac]

Clifford was just fined less than 2 weeks ago for his actions against Tampa Bay in the 8-1 loss.

 

[Holymakinaw]

Should've cross-checked with intent to injure, pay the fine, and be an option for game 2. Shoulda, coulda, woulda...DoPS, what ya gonna do?

You're wishing he had injured a guy?

Jesus. Not cool.

 

[Bellefour20]

You're wishing he had injured a guy?

Jesus. Not cool.

No, I'm saying he should've done the same as Spurgeon (arguably far worse), if he didn't want a suspension.

 

[OVO16]

Shouldn’t have been a suspension, considering he was tossed from the game.

Put him back in the lineup for game 3, keep Tampa on their toes.

Agreed but who comes out considering Bunting is most likely back?

Without injury, I think Clifford and Spezza are a scratch moving forward

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Lets back up a few steps
1. This was not a charge
2. This was not a head hit
3. No one left their feet to injure anyone

4. This happened twice in 3 other games last night - 1 was a 2 minute penalty and other was NO penalty - where there was a hit from behind

NHL just call every play the SAME way .. 3 hit from behinds and 3 different calls .. and of course Toronto guy gets da only suspension

It was a borderline play especially for playoff hockey .. it only goes to continue da same old same old issues at a NHL run by Jacobs and Company .. as more people understand how da board of NHL works and how officials get hired TO fans are gonna get more educated to this farce of a league

 

[djdev]

the curse of #43

 

[Leafsfan74]

Agreed but who comes out considering Bunting is most likely back?

Without injury, I think Clifford and Spezza are a scratch moving forward

I hope Clifford gets back in on that line. He and Simmonds really work well together and they may not always score but they do just as well with setting the general mood, energizing the team and the crowd. Both at home or on the road.

 

[Azazel]

Lets back up a few steps
1. This was not a charge
2. This was not a head hit
3. No one left their feet to injure anyone

4. This happened twice in 3 other games last night - 1 was a 2 minute penalty and other was NO penalty - where there was a hit from behind

NHL just call every play the SAME way .. 3 hit from behinds and 3 different calls .. and of course Toronto guy gets da only suspension

It was a borderline play especially for playoff hockey .. it only goes to continue da same old same old issues at a NHL run by Jacobs and Company .. as more people understand how da board of NHL works and how officials get hired TO fans are gonna get more educated to this farce of a league

Fans are waking up FAST! The league is also making it easy by not even trying to look unbiased. Its gone from 'conspiracy' to open fact in the last 3 or so years.

 

[MarMarSab3]

I think you see
Bunting Matthews Marner
Kerfoot Tavares Nylander
Engvall Kampf Mikheyev
Kase Blackwell Simmonds

 

[robertmac43]

If Bunting is back then it's easy, if it's not him then you put in Spezza which was the better option from the start.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

DoPS released the breakdown.

Infraction: No game suspension needed (0 games)

Bettman and Sweeney: wanted two games.

So they split the difference.

They also suspended Kadri as they thought he still played for the Leafs.

 

[BertCorbeau]

I like how the league puts playoff games as a premium to be suspended for except when it comes to the Leafs.

And Spurgeon with a deliberate attempt to injure gets a small fine.

 

[GrizzLeaf]

The dops doesn't even try to hide their anti-Leaf bias. There were hits and actions last night that are similar in intent and violence but are ignored.

Joke of a league

 

[kevsh]

It was a brutal hit. Blindside, to Colton's back, head/face smashed into the glass.
1 game is about right considering he got a game suspension.

Late edit: I meant "about right considering he got ejected from the game".

 

[HamiltonNHL]

It was a brutal hit. Blindside, to Colton's back, head/face smashed into the glass.
1 game is about right considering he got a game suspension.

It's not like the DoPS would suspend Auston Matthews while he tries to score 60.