The National Hockey League announced Wednesday that Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Martin Gerber has been suspended for three games without pay for an abuse of officials incident during Tuesday's Leafs victory over the Capitals.
It was an automatic suspension for the Swiss-born netminder according to Rule 41.4 – Category III. The rule states: “Any player or goalkeeper who, by his actions, physically threatens an official by shooting the puck at or in the general direction of an official shall be suspended for not less than three (3) games.”
The incident occurred with just over one minute remaining in the third period as Gerber made contact with referee Mike Leggo then firing a puck at the official following Brooks Laich's disputed tying goal.
Gerber will now miss the Leafs game Friday against the Buffalo Sabres, as well as March 28th game against the Boston Burins and April 1st contest against the Philadelphia Flyers. Gerber will be eligible to return April 3rd when the Leafs play the Flyers in Philadelphia.
