Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube appeared to be left unconvinced after winger Bobby McMann received a match penalty for high-sticking against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday.
McMann was thrown out of the contest during a break in play after reacting to a cross-check from Oliver Bjorkstrand by swinging his stick towards the head of the Lightning winger.
The penalty offset the five-minute major that Lighting forward Gage Goncalves received for kneeing Maple Leafs defenceman Dakota Mermis just seconds earlier.
Toronto was up 1-0 at the time of the third-period penalties and held off the Lightning, adding a late empty-netter to complete the 2-0 victory.
“That is a tough one. It really is,” Berube said of McMann’s penalty. “I have to look at it more closely, which I didn’t. From our view on the bench, I couldn’t really see it too well. I’ll take a look at it, but I had a tough time with that, to be honest with you.”
As part of receiving a match penalty, under Rule 21, McMann is “suspended from further competition until the commissioner has ruled on the issue.“
UPDATE: McMann will have a hearing on Tuesday for the high-stick.
Goncalves could also face supplemental discipline for his knee-on-knee hit to Mermis, who left the game and did not return.
“Well, it is a knee. I think it is a good call, the five-minute major,” Berube said of that penalty.
Berube said the extent of Mermis’ injury will be determined on Tuesday.
The Maple Leafs, who improved to 14-11-4 with the win, will host the San Jose Sharks on Thursday.
