Player Safety takes action against Kyle Clifford for hit from behind on Ross Colton in Game 1
Leafs winger Kyle Clifford plays on the edge, of that there is no doubt. However, last night, during Game 1 between his Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning, Clifford strayed across that line and now, according to Nick Kypreos on Real Kyper and Bourne, he'll pay for it.
During the first period, the Leafs winger was attempting to generate some energy, Clifford laid a pair of big hits, the first of which was a clean one on Bolts defender Jan Rutta. The second of the big hits was on an unsuspecting Ross Colton - only this one was directly from behind and earned Clifford a 5-minute major and a game misconduct.
On Tuesday, it was confirmed that Clifford has been offered a phone hearing with the Department of Player Safety for the hit, which means that a suspension is likely incoming.
The Leafs ended up killing off the full 5-minute penalty and used that as momentum to skate away with a 5-0 victory and a 1-0 series lead. After the game, Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe stated that Clifford made a mistake and paid for it, but that he expects to get the gritty winger right back out there as soon as possible. With the upcoming suspension, it may be longer than he'd like to wait, but the Leafs showed plenty of push back in his absence after the first period.
| POLL | ||
MAI 3 | 1235 ANSWERS Player Safety takes action against Kyle Clifford for hit from behind on Ross Colton in Game 1 How many games will Clifford get for boarding Ross Colton? | ||
| 1 | 484 | 39.2 % |
| 2 | 241 | 19.5 % |
| 3 | 134 | 10.9 % |
| Just a fine | 376 | 30.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
