By: Logan Bennett
Leafs fans were hoping to see their all-star defenceman back in action tonight vs Arizona, but the decision made by the NHL commissioner, Gary Bettman, will halt Morgan Rielly from making an appearance on the ice. Bettman has upheld the decision made by the Department of Player Safety.
Bettman said in a press conference yesterday. “Mr. Rielly pursued Mr. Grieg for some time and had sufficient opportunity to engage him in a different manner, e.g., with a push or a shove or even dropping his gloves to fight. Had he done so, there would likely be no need for supplementary discipline,”.
On February 13, the Maple Leafs defenceman had an in-person hearing for a cross- check to the head of Ottawa’s forward Ridley Greig. Rielly was fuming after the Senators forward fired a slap shot into the empty net with 5.1 seconds left on the clock in Ottawa’s 5-3 victory over Toronto on Saturday night which led to Rielly cross-checking him up high.
Bettman said he felt the play was “reckless,” “unnecessary,” “forceful,” and “intentional,” and he deemed the five-game suspension a worthy one. According to Bettman, Rielly admitted that he went after Greig for a play that he felt was meant to embarrass the Leafs. The commissioner felt that play was “not accidental,” with Rielly using his stick “as a weapon” to strike Greig.
Rielly has no previous history with NHL Player Safety in his 12- year career in the NHL, which made him and the team want to appeal stating that the 5-game suspension was excessive.
The game happened on February 10 in Ottawa.
The Leafs look to continue their winning streak without Rielly in the lineup. Leafs have an impressive 4-0 record without him.
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