Tampa Bay Lightning’s Mattias Ritola receives two-game suspension for charging
If there’s one thing that has been a frequent occurrence since the beginning of the 2010-11 National Hockey League season, it’s been the multi-game suspensions that have been handed out
to numerous NHL players.
The latest player to receive a call from league disciplinarian Colin Campbell is winger Mattias Ritola of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ritola drew the suspension after an incident that occurred
in a game between the Lightning and the New York Islanders on Wednesday 17 November.
TSN.ca reports that during the second period of the game, Ritola was assessed a five-minute penalty for charging after he left his feet and hit Islanders forward Matt
Moulson from behind.
Moulson fell to the ice immediately after the hit, but was uninjured. Despite the questionable hit, Ritola was not ejected by the on-ice officials. Moulson left for the dressing room soon
afterwards, and eventually returned to the game, scoring a goal later on.
Ritola will miss the Bolts’ next two games as a result, and will lose $5,555.92 of his salary. The money will be donated to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
The 23-year-old native of Borlange, Sweden was originally drafted 103rd overall by the Detroit Red Wings at the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He made his big-league debut on 15 March 2008.
Although not officially a part of the Red Wings team that won the Stanley Cup in 2008, Ritola did deceive a ring, and was also included in the team’s championship picture. The Wings later
placed Ritola on waivers, and Tampa Bay picked him up on 6 October 2010. He has scored one goal and one assist in 12 games with the Bolts.
The team will travel to Buffalo to face the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday 20 November. Ritola will re-join the Lightning when they play the Boston Bruins on Monday 22 November.
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