Bruins' A.J. Greer suspended one game for cross-checking Canadiens' Mike Hoffman
BOSTON -- Bruins fourth-line winger A.J. Greer received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for cross-checking Mike Hoffman on Thursday night. Some more discipline came a day later.
The NHL Department of Player Safety announced Friday that Greer has been suspended for one game.
"It is important to note that this is not a case of a stick directed towards the body that rides up the opponent," the NHL said in the explanatory video. "This cross-check is delivered cleanly to the head of Hoffman. And while we understand Greer's assertion that he does not intend to strike Hoffman in this manner, players are responsible for their stick at all times. This is a careless cross-check delivered during a stoppage in play that strikes an opponent at a dangerous height, with the force necessary to warrant supplemental discipline."
The suspension is Greer's first.
The incident occurred late in a spirited first period between the Bruins and Canadiens at TD Garden. Greer and Hoffman were exchanging some slashes prior to a faceoff in the neutral zone before Greer delivered a cross-check directly to Hoffman's face.
The referees assessed a major penalty for the offense, ending Greer's night early.
"Yeah well we talk about playing with emotion, which is great, but not getting emotional," Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery said about the penalty. "It's something we can learn from in the playoffs, because you can't take those kinds of penalties in the playoffs."
Greer, 26, has been a regular in the Bruins' lineup this season, playing in 52 games. Prior to this season, his highest number of games played in a season was 17, back in 2017-18. He has five goals and six assists, and he leads the team with 85 penalty minutes after racking up 15 on Thursday night.
Prior to Friday, the NHL had issued one suspension and three fines this season for cross-checks.
