Avalanche Matt Stienburg Has Been Suspended By The NHL Department Of Player Safety

The NHL Department of Player Safety has suspended Colorado Avalanche forward Matt Stienburg for a play in last night's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. In last night's game, Stienburg was assessed a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for a forceful hit on Tampa Bay's Erik Cernak late in the second period, a play immediately subject to official review and further disciplinary action from the league. That decision comes after an in-depth look at the incident that had sparked debate among both fans and analysts alike.

The play had unfolded with Stienburg charging toward Cernak along the boards, throwing a hit that saw both of his skates leave the ice. It was hard enough that Cernak was forced out of the game without returning for the remainder of the night. NHL rules state a player cannot leave his feet to deliver a hit unless it's an incidental result of the momentum of the collision, and the Department of Player Safety found that did not apply here. Cernak went off early with concerns he wasn't feeling well, though there's no timeline at the moment for his recovery.

After the game, Lighting coach Jon Cooper expressed that he is hopeful for Cernak in the short term but furthered that he has not gotten a complete update on his condition. Cooper said a player's safety needs to be treated with importance in light of Cernak's history. Similarly, a number of fans and pundits from the hockey fraternity supported this and stated that players' safety on the ice must be strictly regulated.

The NHL ruling underlines how serious it is about trying to rid the game of dangerous plays and holding players accountable for careless behavior. Stienburg, only 22, made his NHL debut this year but has quickly built a reputation as a hard-nosed player, including an early-season fight with Calgary's Nikita Zadorov. But the league's ruling makes clear there are limits to aggressive play, even for physical, sandpaper players. The suspension against Stienburg means he will not be playable for the next couple of games, which could impact how the Avalanche get through the beginning of the season.

The incident depicts the line between physical competitiveness and player safety in professional hockey, a line that's apparently blurred. This suspension sends a stern message to Matt Stienburg about the league's commitment to player safety, and how one reckless play may have dire consequences for the players and the people who watch the sport. The Avalanche now have to regroup without him while Tampa is hoping Erik Cernak returns to action soon.