Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly was suspended five games Tuesday by the NHL for cross-checking Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig in the head on Saturday, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced.
Rielly was assessed a match penalty in the final five seconds of a 5-3 loss Saturday against the Senators after Greig fired a slapshot into the empty net and Rielly responded by cross-checking the 21-year-old up high.
Because the suspension is under six games, Rielly’s lone appeal option is to commissioner Gary Bettman.
Rielly was supposed to have an in-person hearing, which meant in the past the Department of Player Safety would suspend him for more than five games. Although he initially planned to travel to New York City for the hearing, Rielly opted to do it virtually due to a snowstorm in the area.
With this suspension, Rielly will forfeit more than $195,312 in salary.
This is the first time Rielly has been suspended in his 11-year career. Before Saturday night, the defenceman had eight minutes in penalties this season.
