Boston Bruins forward A.J. Greer was suspended for one game Friday after his ejection for cross-checking Montreal's Mike Hoffman the previous evening.
Greer delivered a shot to Hoffman's face before a first-period faceoff, causing the Canadiens forward to stagger. The NHL Department of Player Safety held a hearing earlier Friday before determining the additional discipline.
Greer, 26, received a five-minute major and a 10-minute game misconduct, although the NHL-leading Bruins still secured a 4-2 home victory.
"This cross-check is delivered cleanly to the head of Hoffman, and while we understand Greer's assertion that he does not intend to strike Hoffman in this manner, players are responsible for their stick at all times," a Department of Player Safety official said in a video explanation. "This is a careless cross-check delivered during a stoppage in play that strikes an opponent at a dangerous height with the force necessary to warrant supplemental discipline."
It is the first supplemental discipline of Greer's NHL career. He will miss Saturday's home game with the Atlantic Division-rival Tampa Bay Lightning.
Greer has recorded 11 points (five goals, six assists) and 85 penalty minutes in 52 games this season, his first with Boston.
A second-round pick out of Boston College in 2015, Greer has 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) in 99 games with the Colorado Avalanche, New Jersey Devils and Bruins.
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