Maple Leafs F Kerfoot suspended two games

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Alex Kerfoot was suspended two games for his hit on Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson, the NHL's Department of Safety announced Monday. Johnson's cross-check to Johnson from behind caused his former teammate to crash into the boards with 2:44 remaining in the second period of Saturday's game. Johnson was assessed a minor penalty for boarding on the play.

"First and foremost, I think I'm disappointed in myself," Kerfoot said Monday, per TSN. "It was obviously a bad play. I know Johnson well and I just hope he's all right. I hope that he doesn't miss any time or anything like that. I feel terrible. "He kind of unfortunately lost possession right as I was pushing him and then he stumbles and I pushed him into the boards. It's no excuse. It was unfortunate timing but it was also a bad play by me and I just hope he's all right."

Kerfoot spent the previous two seasons as Johnson's teammate with the Avalanche before being traded to the Maple Leafs on July 1 along with defenseman Tyson Barrie and a 2020 sixth-round selection. Colorado received forward Nazem Kadri, defenseman Calle Rosen and a 2020 third-round draft pick in the deal. The 25-year-old Kerfoot has collected five goals and three assists in 22 games this season. He has recorded 39 goals and 54 assists in 179 career games with Colorado and Toronto.

 

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