Toronto Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting was suspended three playoff games for an illegal check to the head of Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak, the league announced Wednesday.
Bunting received a match penalty during Tuesday's series-opening contest after catching Cernak up high in the second period.
Michael Bunting gets a match penalty for this hit on Erik Cernak pic.twitter.com/014jfUBpjW
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) April 19, 2023
Cernak exited the contest following the collision and didn't return. He was ruled out for Game 2 on Wednesday by Lightning head coach Jon Cooper.
The league cited direct contact to the head, interference, and injury as reasons for the length of the ban.
The suspension is the first disciplinary action of Bunting's NHL career.
