Michael Bunting match penalty: Why Leafs forward was ejected after hit to Lightning’s Erik Cernak

Dan Treacy

Michael Bunting match penalty: Why Leafs forward was ejected after hit to Lightning’s Erik Cernak image

A war of attrition has already broken out between the Maple Leafs and Lightning.

After Tampa defenseman Victor Hedman left Game 1 of the playoff series on Tuesday, a hit by Toronto winger Michael Bunting thinned the Lightning's defense even more by sending Erik Cernak to the locker room.

Bunting was ejected for the hit, and a five-minute major penalty was assessed in what was already an ugly performance by the Maple Leafs.

The penalty quickly cost Toronto, as the Lightning scored two more power-play goals before the end of the period to turn a 4-2 lead into a commanding 6-2 lead. It may cost the Maple Leafs even more if Bunting faces a suspension from the league.

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Here's what you need to know about why Bunting was sent off in Game 1. 

Why was Michael Bunting ejected vs. Lightning?

After initially being handed a five-minute major penalty, Bunting received a match penalty for what was ruled an illegal check to Cernak's head. 

Replay showed that Bunting threw his left arm right into Cernak's head, and he immediately put his arms out to defend the hit as Cernak went down. Officials determined that the contact with Cernak's head was targeted, so Bunting was sent off the ice for the rest of the night. 

The hit left the Lightning without two key defenseman, considering Hedman already left the game earlier, and it could possibly leave the Maple Leafs without a 23-goal scorer for Game 2 if the NHL decides to suspend Bunting. 

Bunting has had an especially contentious relationship with referees during his time with the Maple Leafs. That's unlikely to change if he truly does feel that the hit on Cernak didn't warrant an ejection. 

Dan Treacy

Dan Treacy Photo

Dan Treacy is a content producer for Sporting News, joining in 2022 after graduating from Boston University. He founded @allsportsnews on Instagram in 2012 and has written for Lineups and Yardbarker.