Maple Leafs forward Alexander Kerfoot received a two-game suspension for cross-checking Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson, the NHL announced Monday.
Late in the second period of Saturday's game between Toronto and Colorado, Kerfoot shoved Johnson across the numbers on the backcheck, causing him to collide with the boards in a violent fashion. Johnson did not suffer an injury.
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While the initial contact by the forward wasn't extravagant, it was blatantly obvious his intention was not to simply locate Johnson and feel which direction the defenseman was going. As Johnson's head and shoulders slid into the boards, the fans at the Pepsi Center in Denver rose to their feet in search of a call — which they received.
Kerfoot was assessed a two-minute minor for boarding, but after review by the league, he was given his first-career suspension. He will miss Toronto's games against the Red Wings on Wednesday and the Sabres on Friday. The 25-year-old forward had never been suspended or fined prior to the current suspension.
Playing in 22 of the Leafs' 25 games this season, Kerfoot has five goals and three assists. In his first two seasons, he played for Colorado before being traded with Tyson Barrie to Toronto in exchange for Nazem Kadri and Calle Rosen in July. Colorado also swapped a sixth-round pick for Toronto's third-rounder.