BREAKING: Michael Bunting is meeting with NHL Player Safety after DIRTY head check - SUSPENSION incoming

Yesterday evening, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning kicked off their highly-anticipated best of seven series. The game was especially important for the Maple Leafs, who were hoping to avenge their devastating loss in Game 7 of last year's playoffs.

Despite the Maple Leafs' hopes, the game did not go as planned, as the Tampa Bay Lightning dominated the game, emerging with a 7-3 victory in the Maple Leafs' own arena. The loss was a bitter pill to swallow for Toronto fans, who were hoping for a strong start to the series.

In the second period of the game, tensions rose even higher when Maple Leafs player Michael Bunting made a controversial decision to deliver a deliberate head check to the Lightning's Erik Cernak. Bunting's actions resulted in a match penalty, which meant he was ejected from the game and the Lightning were given a 5-minute powerplay.

Unfortunately for the Maple Leafs, the Lightning were able to capitalize on the man advantage, scoring a crucial goal that further widened their lead.

Michael Bunting has received a 5-minute match penalty for an illegal check to the head on Erik Cernak. pic.twitter.com/aY8TnNZgWl� Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 19, 2023

Toronto's Michael Bunting will have a hearing on Wednesday for an Illegal Check to the Head / Interference against Tampa Bay's Erik Cernak.� NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) April 19, 2023

Previously on PuckReporter

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SCARY scene in Winnipeg/Vegas game

Michael Bunting gets EJECTED after DIRTY hit on Cernak - Definite SUSPENSION coming

POLL
19 AVRIL \| 93 ANSWERS BREAKING: Michael Bunting is meeting with NHL Player Safety after DIRTY head check - SUSPENSION incoming How many games will Bunting get
1	17	18.3 %
2	31	33.3 %
3	22	23.7 %
4	23	24.7 %
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