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.
The hit occurred in the first period. Clifford skated through the neutral zone near the boards and then followed through on a hit from behind on Colton, sending him face-first into the boards.
Clifford was initially given a minor penalty for the hit but, after a review, the infraction was changed to a five minute major and a game misconduct for boarding.
“I didn’t like Cliff’s penalty," Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said after the game. "Cliff’s hit is not a hit you can make there."
In 23 games with the Maple Leafs this season, Clifford has recorded one goal and two assists.
