The National Hockey League has suspended Atlanta Thrashers forward Ben Eager four games for his sucker-punch to the eye of Maple Leafs winger Colby Armstrong in Friday's 9-3 Toronto victory.
With the Maple Leafs up 5-1 late in the second period, Eager got into the face of Armstrong before blindsiding his former teammate. Eager was ejected and given a match penalty for intent to injure.
Armstrong's eye swelled shut and he was held out of the rest of the game for precautionary reasons.
The five-minute major led to a season-high five power play goals for the Maple Leafs; markers scored by Nikolai Kulemin, two by Clarke MacArthur, and one by Phil Kessel.
Eager will forfeit $20,752.68 in salary and won't be eligible to return until Jan. 20 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
