Match penalties given for intent to injure come with an automatic review from the league, so the NHL had some work to do following the Toronto Maple Leafs-Los Angeles Kings game Thursday night. Pierre Engvall had a hearing with the Department of Player Safety for his high stick on Sean Durzi, which earned him a five-minute major and an early trip to the showers.
The NHL Department of Player Safety has announced that Engvall will serve a one-game suspension for his high stick on Durzi.
The two players were engaged all over the rink before meeting again at center ice. After they both raised their sticks to battle, Engvall ended up swinging his down and hitting Durzi in the back of the head and neck. The Kings defenseman did not suffer a major injury, but Engvall will end up missing more than just the remainder of that game.
Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said that he didn’t think Engvall meant to make such heavy contact, explaining that “you’ve all watched Pierre play for long enough to know he doesn’t play with an intent to injure.” The 6-foot-5 forward had just six penalty minutes in 27 games before Thursday night, four of which came against the Dallas Stars earlier this week for another high stick, this time on Jason Robertson.
Given the lack of injury and clean record of the 26-year-old, it was unlikely he'd receive a lengthy suspension, but the Maple Leafs will prepare for life without him for Saturday’s game against the Calgary Flames. With Nick Robertson suffering a shoulder injury, the Maple Leafs will be down two players from Thursday night’s lineup.
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