Auston Matthews suspended 2 games for cross-check in Heritage Classic loss to Sabres
Maple Leafs' star banned for infraction against defenceman Rasmus Dahlin
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews has been suspended two games without pay for cross-checking Buffalo Sabres defenceman Rasmus Dahlin on Sunday, the NHL announced.
Matthews cross-checked Dahlin in the side of the head at 14:55 of the third period at the Heritage Classic in Hamilton.
"This [was] a high forceful cross-check that makes force with an opponent's neck with sufficient force to warrant supplemental discipline," the NHL's department of player safety said of the event in a video describing their rationale for the suspension.
Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Matthews will forfeit $116,402.50 US. The money goes to the players' emergency assistance fund.
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Matthews' stick caught Dahlin in the neck and head area, which caught the attention of players from both teams.
"You're just battling in front of the net," Matthews said after the game. "I felt like I kind of rode up his shoulder and his shoulder pack rolled up a little bit. That's hockey; you're competing out there."
The two players each were assessed a minor penalty for cross-checking on the play.
Later, Sabres centre Dylan Cozens sent Matthews to the ice, lowering his shoulder and delivering a hit.
More Cozens: "Dahlin is a guy, a star player, a young defenseman, one of the best defenseman in the league. And he's gonna be a great player for us. So that's a guy that anyone on this team would stick up for, so I gotta take exception to that one." (2/3) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sabres?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sabres</a>
—@ByMHarringtonA two-time Lady Byng Trophy finalist, Matthews had no prior history of supplemental discipline from the league.
The 24-year-old has an NHL-best 45 goals this season while his 77 points are six shy of Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid and Florida Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau for the league lead.
Matthews is riding a five-game goal and points streak, during which he has eight goals and one assist.
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With files from Field Level Media & CBC Sports
