Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Dion Phaneuf, left, knocks Washington Capitals centre Marcus Johansson into the boards in front of the Maple Leafs bench during second period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Saturday, November 23, 2013. Phaneuf has been suspended two games for his hit from behind on Kevan Miller of the Bruins. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
December 10, 2013 - 9:11 AM
NEW YORK, - Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf has been suspended two games for his hit from behind on Kevan Miller of the Bruins.
Phaneuf boarded Miller, who clearly had his back turned, during Toronto's loss to Boston on Sunday night at Air Canada Centre. No boarding penalty was called on the play.
Miller left the game, but Claude Julien told reporters that he wasn't worried about the defenceman's condition.
Phaneuf had a phone hearing with NHL vice-president of player safety Brendan Shanahan on Tuesday morning. That limited the possible suspension to five games or fewer.
The suspension is the Leafs' fifth this season. David Clarkson got an automatic 10 games for leaving the bench to join an altercation during the pre-season, Phil Kessel got three pre-season games for slashing John Scott during that brawl with the Sabres and Nazem Kadri got three games for elbowing Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom in the head last month.
Phaneuf will miss the Leafs' game against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday and their game at the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2013