Jets’ Stafford suspended for high-sticking

Watch as Drew Stafford of the Winnipeg Jets loses control of his stick and bloodies Nick Holden of the Colorado Avalanche.

Winnipeg Jets forward Drew Stafford was suspended one game by the NHL’s department of player safety Monday for high-sticking Colorado’s Nick Holden.

With 4:45 remaining in the second period of Saturday night’s Avalanche-Jets game, Stafford spun around with one hand on his stick after being hooked by Holden. Stafford’s stick went directly into Holden’s face, drawing blood.

The Jets forward received a double-minor for his actions, and Holden was able to stay in the game. (Watch the play above.)

Stafford leads Winnipeg with 16 goals this year, two of which came earlier in the period.

The Jets won the game 4-2. Stafford will sit out Winnipeg’s next game, which goes Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues.

Based on his average annual salary, Stafford will forfeit $23,387.10. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.