Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul has been suspended two games for his hit on Victor Hedman on Wednesday.
Lupul was penalized in the third period win over the Lightning for an illegal hit to the head that floored the six-foot-six Hedman. Lupul hit Hedman's head with his shoulder, leaving the big Swede dazed.
"By no means did I go after him and try and hit him in the head," Lupul said after the game.
This is Lupul's first suspension in his nine-year NHL career. He has received five major penalties in his career, all for fighting as well as a 10-minute misconduct.
The NHL's official suspension video deemed that Lupul "approach[ed] from the side and recklessly target[ed] Hedman's head by elevating and making it the principal point of contact."
The suspension video noted that Lupul had no prior history of supplemental discipline and that Hedman sustained no apparent injury.
With defenceman Mike Komisarek clearing waivers Thursday, the Leafs have recalled forward Ryan Hamilton from the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies. Hamilton will likely draw into the line-up Thursday night.
