Maple Leafs’ Clifford suspended one game for hit on Lightning’s Ross Colton

The NHL department of player safety handed Toronto Maple Leafs forward Kyle Clifford a one-game suspension for boarding Tampa Bay Lightning centre Ross Colton in Game 1.

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The hit occurred in the first period. Clifford skated through the neutral zone near the boards and then followed through on a hit from behind on Colton, sending him face-first into the boards.

Clifford was initially given a minor penalty for the hit but, after a review, the infraction was changed to a five minute major and a game misconduct for boarding.

“I didn’t like Cliff’s penalty,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said after the game. “Cliff’s hit is not a hit you can make there.”

In 23 games with the Maple Leafs this season, Clifford has recorded one goal and two assists.