Bobby McMann Suspended for High-Sticking Incident
Bobby McMann, the right winger for the Toronto Maple Leafs, will be sidelined for Thursday’s match due to a suspension imposed by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety. This disciplinary action follows an incident during a game on Monday where McMann high-sticked Tampa Bay Lightning‘s Oliver Bjorkstrand.
As a consequence, McMann will lose $7,031.25 from his salary, which will be contributed to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
Details of the Incident
The incident occurred with 17 minutes remaining in the game when McMann received a match penalty. The classification of a match penalty applies to players who either intentionally try to injure an opponent or cause injuries deliberately. As per league policy, any player receiving such a penalty is automatically suspended until a decision is reached by the NHL regarding the matter.
In their explanation, the NHL outlined that McMann lifted his stick to avoid contact with an oncoming linesman but subsequently forced it down toward Bjorkstrand after being pushed, resulting in a strike to the head that warranted further disciplinary measures. The league emphasized that McMann had control over his stick and actions, and he needed to exhibit greater restraint to avoid head contact.
Reactions and Career Impact
Following the incident, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube acknowledged the situation, remarking, “That’s a tough one. It really is. I mean, I got to look at it more closely, which I didn’t.”
This suspension marks the first disciplinary action McMann has faced in his 169 NHL games. The 29-year-old has accrued 43 goals and 73 points in his career, alongside three points in 13 playoff appearances. In the current season, he has contributed eight goals and six assists over 29 games.
Upcoming Games
McMann’s anticipated 30th appearance will now have to wait until after Thursday’s game against the San Jose Sharks. Currently, the Maple Leafs rank 18th in the NHL standings with 32 points, while the Sharks are close behind with 31 points.
